




















PROCLAMATIONS 


FOR 

THANKSGIVING, 

ISSUED BY THE 

Continental Congress, Jres't Hasjjington, 


THE NATIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS 
ON THE PEACE OF 1815, 

AND BY THE 

GOVERNORS OF NEW YORK 

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CUSTOM; 

WITH THOSE OF THE 

GOVERNORS OF THE SEVERAL STATES 

IN 18 5 8. 


WITH AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 

^ 1/ 


ALBANY: 

MUNSELL & ROWLAND, t8 STATE STREET. 
1858. 






o°r1 




. 

■ 


















' 

, ; 

'■ <-■ c 

1 c ‘ 





i~037 


PREFACE. 


rj^HERE is an official document, issued by Exe¬ 
cutive Authority, in accordance with a 
44 time-honored custom,” and for a purpose that 
appeals to the religious and moral sentiments 
of the people, which finds no place in our 
public records, and, committed annually to the 
newspaper press, is soon lost to the public 
generally, with the fleeting items of the cur¬ 
rent news. 

It contains no imperative order, and its ob¬ 
servance is enforced by neither rewards nor 
penalties; but like a Herald of Peace, it in¬ 
vites us to lay aside the cares of life, and in 
good will towards all men and humble grati¬ 
tude to the Benign Giver of All Blessings, to 
acknowledge with becoming reverence, and in 
a manner approved by our own consciences, 
our obligations for the many blessings of life. 



IV 


PREFACE. 


Whatever tends to strengthen the ties of 
kindred and friendship, or to promote offices 
of kindness and charity, claims the attention 
and favor of all good citizens; and among the 
very few usages which deserve the title of 
National Customs, our Thanksgiving festival 
may in this sense be ranked as first. As such, 
its origin and history are worthy of inquiry, 
and as an act of Civil Authority, the Procla¬ 
mation for its observance may be deemed enti¬ 
tled to a more permanent form of record than 
the casual chances of the periodical press. 

The in-gathering of the fruits of the earth, 
has from time immemorial, and among all 
nations, been a season of gladness; and with 
such as possessed definite views of their obli¬ 
gations to the Unseen Providence that governs 
the Universe, has been accompanied by such 
forms of devotion as were deemed most appro¬ 
priate to express their gratitude for this bounty, 
and their dependence for its continuance. In 
like manner, special instances of national suc¬ 
cess, of preservation from impending calami¬ 
ties, or of relief from grievous afflictions, have 
been made the subjects of such form of Thanks¬ 
giving as the occasion might suggest, and 
calamities have been sought to be averted or 


PREFACE. 


V 


removed by Public Fasting and Prayer. Among 
most civilized countries these occasions have 
been marked by public ordinances directing 
the time and manner of observance,* 

We find at an early period of New England 
history, that special occasions of prosperity or 
calamity, were continually ascribed to the 
smiles or frowns of Providence, and often made 
the occasion of Public Thanksgiving or Fast; 
and the tone of religious sentiment which pre¬ 
vailed among the early Colonists, led in the 
infancy of their settlement, to the annual ob- 


* Of the occasional Thanks¬ 
givings appointed by author¬ 
ity, in Great Britain, in mo¬ 
dern times, may be noticed 
one held January 13,1814, on 
account of the victories gain¬ 
ed over Napoleon; and an¬ 
other Jan. 18, 1816, upon the 
restoration of peace. The Go¬ 
vernor of Upper Canada or¬ 
dered a Thanksgiving to be 
observed Feb. 6, 1838, upon 
the success of government 
in suppressing the patriot re¬ 
volt ; and a Thanksgiving was 
held throughout all India, on 


the 16th of July,1854, on ac¬ 
count of the success of the 
British troops. The 5th of 
November is marked in the 
English Church Service as an 
occasion for Public Thanks¬ 
giving, in commemoration of 
the discovery of the Gun¬ 
powder Plot in 1605, and the 
29th of May, for the restora¬ 
tion of Charles II, in 1660. 
The anniversary of the ac¬ 
cession of the reigning sove¬ 
reign to the throne, is also a 
solemn day. 


VI 


PREFACE. 


servance of each. The former was usually 
in autumn, and the latter in spring.* 

The practice was not limited to the English 


*The earliest Thanksgiv¬ 
ing on record in the Colony 
of Massachusetts, was held 
on the 22d of February, 1631, 
under circumstances that are 
recorded as follows: 

“But now as the winter 
“ came on, provisions began 
“to be very scarce, upon the 
“ grounds aforesaid, and peo- 
“ple were necessitated to 
“ live upon clams, and mus- 
“cles, and ground-nuts, and 
“ acorns, and these got with 
“ much difficulty in the win- 
“ ter-time. Upon which, peo- 
“ pie were very much tired 
“ and discouraged, especially 
“ when they heard that the 
“ Governor himself had the 
“ last batch of bread in the 
“oven; and many were the 
“fears of people that Mr. 
“ Pearce, who was sent to 
“Ireland to fetch provisions, 
“ was cast away, or taken by 
“ pirates. But God, who de- 


“ lights to appear in greatest 
“ straits, did work marvel¬ 
lously at this time; for be- 
“ fore the very day appointed 
“ to seek the Lord by Fast- 
“ ing and Prayer, about the 
“ month of February or March 
“ in comes Mr. Pearce, lad- 
“ en with provisions. Upon 
“ which occasion the day of 
“ Fast was changed, and or- 
“ dered to be kept as a day 
“of Thanksgiving; which 
“ provisions were by the Go- 
“ vernor distributed unto the 
“ people, proportionable to 
“ their necessities.”— Young's 
Chronicles of Massachusetts, j). 
385. 

Between this date and 1685, 
the records of the Colony 
show twenty-nine orders for 
Thanksgiving, several of 
which are for specific, but 
most of them for general 
causes of gratitude to Pro¬ 
vidence. 


PREFACE. 


Vll 


Colonies, but was in use in New Netherlands 
upon extraordinary occasions of public rejoic¬ 
ing.* In the Colony of New York, under the 
English government, occasional Thanksgivings 
were held.f 

At an early period in the Revolution, the 
Continental Congress adopted the custom of 
invoking the Divine Favor by Public Fasting, 
Humiliation and Prayer, and the days thus 
appointed were generally in the spring months. 
It always suspended its own sessions upon the 
days thus set apart, when the public exigencies 
would allow.J 


* Gov. Kieft ordered a 
Public Thanksgiving to be 
held in February, 1644, upon 
the occasion of a victory over 
the Indians in Westchester 
county, and in September, 
1645, upon the conclusion of 
a peace with these people. 

f See pages 1-3. 

X Fast Days were appoint¬ 
ed during the Revolution: 
Thursday, July 20, 1115, by 
resolution of June 12; Fri¬ 


day, May It, ltt6, by reso¬ 
lution of March 16; day to 
be fixed by the several states 
by resolution of December 
11, 1176; Wednesday, April 
22, 1778, by resolution of 
March 7; Thursday, May 6 f 

1779, by resolution of March 
20; Wednesday, April 6, 

1780, by resolution of March 
11; Thursday, May 3, 1781, 
by resolution of March 20; 
Thursday, April 25, 1782, by 
resolution of March 19. 


Vlll 


PREFACE. 


A similar recommendation was issued once 
by President Washington, in May, 1792, by 
request of Congress; twice during the admi¬ 
nistration of the elder Adams, and on several 
occasions since.* 

The Journals of the Continental Congress 
contain eight several appointments of Thanks¬ 
giving days, and the resolutions expressing the 
wishes of Congress upon this subject, were in 
the form of recommendations to the Executive 
heads of the State governments, reciting in 
appropriate terms, the occasion which prompt¬ 
ed the observance, and the favors which a 
Benign Providence had conferred upon them 
as a people. With one exception, Congress 
suspended business upon the days it had ap¬ 
pointed for Thanksgiving. 

Governor Jay, at the beginning of his admi¬ 
nistration, issued a Proclamation, recommend¬ 
ing a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, after the 
custom of the New England States, but the ad¬ 
vice did not receive general attention or public 
favor. His political opponents seized upon the 
occasion, to represent it as a contrivance to en- 

* See Journals of House 1792; Life and Writings of 
of Representatives, May 1, John Adams, ix, 169-172. 


PREFACE. 


IX 


list the religious prejudices of the public in his 
favor, and the opposition which it met dis¬ 
suaded him from repeating it. 

Although thus left without a public appoint¬ 
ment, the People of this State were not entirely 
without guidance in the celebration of this 
observation. The Book of Common Prayer of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, ratified in 
1789, directs the first Thursday of November 
(unless another day be appointed by the civil 
authorities) “ to be observed as a day of Thanks¬ 
giving to Almighty God, for the fruits of the 
earth, and all other blessings of his Merciful 
Providence,” and this day was accordingly 
observed by those of this denomination, in the 
absence of Executive appointment. 

Many pious families in this State, of other 
denominations, were accustomed to observe 
the day appointed for Thanksgiving by the 
Governor of Connecticut, and several Christian 
denominations had adopted the custom of ap¬ 
pointing a Thanksgiving Day, by the officers of 
churches, associations, presbyteries, and simi¬ 
lar ecclesiastical bodies. The day thus set 

* Hammond’s Political His- New York, 196; Jay’s Life 
tory of New York, i, 446; and Writings, i, 385. 
Jenkins’ Political History of 
B 


X 


PREFACE. 


apart, was not uniform throughout the State, 
and of course received no regard except among 
the sect by whom it was appointed.f 

The official announcement of peace between 


f The following is an ex¬ 
ample of these appointments 
by religious bodies. They 
were generally published in 
the newspapers, and read in 
churches: 

“THANKSGIVING. 

“Whereas the Northern 
“ Associated Presbytery of 
“ the State of New York, in 
“ connection with other As- 
“ sociations, have agreed an- 
“ nually to observe the last 
“ Thursday in November, as 
“ a day of Public Thanksgiv- 
“ ing, this is to notify all 
“ the churches under the care 
“ of said Presbytery, and the 
“ congregations connected 
“ with them, that Thursday, 
“ the thirtieth day of the pre- 
“ sent month, will be set 
“ apart, through the bounds 
“ of said Presbytery, as a 
“ day of Public Thanksgiving 
“and Prayer to Almighty 


“ God, to render thanks to 
“ his great name for all the 
“ blessings of the year past, 
“ particularly for the effusion 
“of his holy spirit, poured 
“ out in many parts of our 
“land, and more especially 
“ upon our colleges and semi¬ 
naries of literature, which 
“ gives a hopeful prospect of 
“the advancement of the 
“ Redeemer’s kingdom in our 
“land. 

“ Signed by order of the 
“ Presbytery. 

“Beriah Hotchkin, 

“ Moderator. 

“Greenville, Nov. 6,1815.” 

Perhaps the most remark¬ 
able Thanksgiving custom on 
record, prevailed in the towns 
of Southampton and East- 
hampton upon Long Island. 
Montauk Point consists of 
some nine thousand acres of 
land, owned by numerous 


PREFACE. 


XI 


the United States and Great Britain, was re¬ 
garded by Congress and our State Legislature 
as an event demanding a public expression of 
gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, 
and at the joint suggestion of the Executive 
and Legislative authorities, it was unanimously 
decided to celebrate the happy event by a 
Solemn Thanksgiving. 

Governor De Witt Clinton soon after his en¬ 
trance upon office, renewed the experiment 
which a predecessor had tried without success. 
The appointment received general approbation, 
and the practice has been since annually fol¬ 
lowed, sanctioned by no law but precedent, 
and sustained only by popular favor. 


proprietors in these towns, 
and used as a common pas¬ 
turage for their stock. The 
time of driving their herds 
upon the Point, and of taking 
them home to winter, was 
fixed annually at town meet¬ 
ing, and it came to be a rule, 
from a period beyond which 
the memory of man runneth 
not to the contrary, that the 
Thursday of the week follow¬ 
ing the return of the cattle 


from Montauk, should be ob¬ 
served as a day of Thanks¬ 
giving. The first appoint¬ 
ment by Governor Clinton 
happened to fall upon a dif¬ 
ferent date, and it was seri¬ 
ously discussed, whether the 
substitute should be accept¬ 
ed, or whether the secret in¬ 
tention might not be to un¬ 
settle and break up the cus¬ 
tom altogether. 


Xll 


PREFACE. 


It has become usual for the Mayor of New 
York City, to second the appointment of 
Thanksgiving Day made by the Governor, in a 
Proclamation of similar import,* and on seve- 


* The following is his Pro¬ 
clamation for the present 
year: 

“ PROCLAMATION. 

“ Whereas the Governor 
“of the State, in accordance 
“ with a time-honored and 
“ most laudable custom, has 
“ appointed Thursday, the 
“eighteenth day of Novem- 
“ber instant, to be observed 
“ as a day of General Thanks¬ 
giving and Prayer, now I, 
“ Daniel F. Tiemann, Mayor 
“ of the City of New York, 
“ do hereby earnestly recom- 
“mend all good citizens to 
“ unite on that day in Praise 
“and Thanksgiving to Al- 
“ mighty God for all the great 
“ and manifest blessings he 
“has bestowed in his good 
“ providence on our city and 
“its inhabitants during the 
“ past year. The commercial 
“ panic which recently pros- 


“ trated the trade and indus¬ 
try of our city has subsid- 
“ ed, and again the merchant 
“is busy, the mechanic em¬ 
ployed, and the laborer has 
“ work to do. The harvests 
“of the country have been 
“ plenteous, affording to our 
“people the fruits of the 
“ earth in abundance, so that 
“ all can enjoy them. Pesti- 
“ lence has not been permit- 
“ ted to visit us, but beyond 
“ any previous season has 
“ our city enjoyed the bless- 
“ings of health. And even 
“the strifes of party have 
“served to the maintenance 
“ of that Union by which we 
“ as a people are secured in 
“our civil freedom and the 
“ right to worship our Creat- 
“ or according to the dictates 
“ of our own consciences. 
“For these and other mani- 
“ fold blessings and mercies, 


PREFACE. 


Xlll 


ral occasions the Bishops of the Episcopal and 
Catholic churches, have issued circulars to 
their several charges, prescribing forms of wor¬ 
ship suitable to the occasion, and recommend¬ 
ing the observance of the appointed day, with 
becoming religious solemnities. 

This custom is now observed in nearly every 
State and organized Territory in the Union,* 


“ it is our duty at all times 
“ to be thankful to the Giver 
“ of All Good, but especially 
“ on a day thus set apart by 
“ the Chief Magistrate of the 
“ State for religious worship 
“ and praise. 

“ I would also recommend 
“ that on this occasion those 
“who have been favored 
“ with prosperity, should im- 
“ part of their abundance to 
“ the needy, and thus by con¬ 
tributing to their comfort, 
“and alleviating their dis¬ 
tress, honor their Creator, 
“ whose nature is divine be- 
11 neficence. 

“ In witness whereof, I 
“ have hereunto set my name 
“and affixed the Mayoralty 


“ Seal of the City of 
[l.s.] “ New York, this ele- 
“ venth day of Novem- 
“ ber, in the year of our Lord 
“ one thousand eight hundred 
“ and fifty-eight. 

“Daniel F. Tiemann.” 

* Diligent efforts have been 
made to obtain all the Pro¬ 
clamations for Thanksgiving 
issued by the several State 
and Territorial Governors 
for 1858, but still none have 
been received from Virgi¬ 
nia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 
Arkansas, Texas and Cali¬ 
fornia, nor with the excep¬ 
tion of Nebraska and Minne¬ 
sota, from any of the Terri¬ 
tories. In some of these, it 


XIV 


PREFACE. 


and an examination of the following pages will 
show, that the Proclamation is commonly is¬ 
sued from the office of the Secretary of State 
under the Great Seal. In some cases it is or¬ 
dered by advice of the Council, and in New 
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania simply 
upon authority of the Governor under his Privy 
Seal, and attested by his Private Secretary. 

In some of the States, Thanksgiving Day is 
sanctioned by the Statute law, and Courts may 
not be held or arrests made on the day appoint- 


is believed, none were issued. 
In Virginia, the only one 
ever issued was that of Gov¬ 
ernor Johnson, appointing a 
Thanksgiving to be held No¬ 
vember 15, 1855. The May¬ 
ors of cities in that State 
have within four or five years 
adopted the custom of issu¬ 
ing a Proclamation for this 
purpose. 

In his Annual Message to 
the Legislature of Virginia, 
in 1851, Gov. Wise alluded 
to requests which had been 
made to him by various per¬ 
sons of different religious de¬ 
nominations to appoint a day 


for this observance, which 
he had declined, because 
“the State officers have no 
“ authority or power to in¬ 
terfere in religious mat¬ 
ters belonging exclusively 
“ to private individuals and 
“ church organizations.” He 
added; “ two of the worst 
“evils of the times ar e poli- 
“ tical religion and religious po- 
“ lilies. I am not constituted 
“ and appointed to handle 
“ God’s holy things, and I 
“will not dare, hypocritic- 
“ ally and cantingly, to huck- 
“ ster them in the market of 
“ popularity among men.” 


PREFACE. 


XV 


ed. Wherever the practice prevails, schools, 
public offices, banks, and places of business 
generally are closed, at least for a part of the 
day, and religious services are held among 
most if not all regularly organized denomina¬ 
tions. The discourses of the Clergy are upon 
these occasions often characterized by a freedom 
of range upon historical reminiscences or other 
secular subjects that might, by the more scru¬ 
pulous, be deemed out of place upon the Sab¬ 
bath Day. 

Among firemen, Thanksgiving day is often 
signalized by public reviews, and among our 
citizen soldiery, by military parades and excur¬ 
sions for target shooting; generally terminating 
in a ball or other festive entertainment in the 
evening. The managers of places of public 
amusement, counting upon extra patronage, 
prepare to offer attractions beyond the ordinary 
programme of the season, and the various 
pastimes of the public, athletic games, shoot¬ 
ing for prizes, and similar diversions, gather 
each their crowds of pleasure seeking votaries. 

However dissimilar these various modes of 
keeping Thanksgiving may be, there is at least 
one observance in which they agree, and few 
persons possessing the means, seldom fail to 


XVI 


PREFACE. 


provide a sumptuous repast on that day. To 
those prevented by poverty the hand of charity 
is in many cases extended and the poor inmate 
of the almshouse, the asylum and the prison, 
looks forward to the appointed day, with a 
reasonable prospect of an extra indulgence in 
his hill of fare. 

The good old New England custom of a 
family gathering under the paternal roof, upon 
Thanksgiving day, is to a great degree still 
limited to the Eastern States, # and annually 
calls thousands from distant parts to meet be¬ 
loved kindred around the family hearth, where 
amid the scenes and associations of childhood, 

" When gathered home from fresher homes around, 

The old man’s children keep the holiday.” 

The New England Thanksgiving festival has 
been a favorite theme of the poet and the essay¬ 
ist, but the sympathies which it awakens are 
of a character to be felt rather than described. 


* It is estimated that at 
least ten thousand persons 
from New York city alone 
returned to their early homes 
in New England to spend 
Thanksgiving day in 1858. 
As the appointment in New 


York occurred one week ear¬ 
lier than in most of those 
States none were detained at 
home from this cause and 
doubtless many persons en¬ 
joyed both festivals. 


PREFACE. 


XVII 


Whether regarded in its social, domestic or 
religious character, this custom may be con¬ 
sidered beneficial in its influences; and from 
its cultivating the generous and sympathizing 
instincts of our nature, and promoting kindly 
offices toward one another, it may be considered 
as a salutary check upon the cold and selfish 
tendencies of unrelaxing application to business 
and the inordinate pursuit of gain. 

Franklin B. Hough. 

Albany , December 15, 1858. 


ERRATA. 

Page 1. 4th line from bottom, for “ events ” read “ event.” 
“ 25. Last line, for “ Williamson” read “ Thomson.” 

“ 29. 3d line from bottom, for “seven” read “four.” 

C 




















. 

. 

, 


- 










THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


Under the Colonial Government of Ne w York, 
Proclamations for Thanksgiving were occasion¬ 
ally issued upon special occasions of public 
rejoicing, but not annually, as in the New 
England Colonies. The defeat of Baron Dies- 
kau, and his French and Indian forces, by the 
Provincial troops, under Sir William Johnson, in 
September, 1755, was an event of great import 
ance, from the immediate relief which it af¬ 
forded to the frontiers, and of still greater, from 
the confidence with which it inspired the Colo¬ 
nies, who, without aid from the mother country, 
had, in this campaign, accomplished more than 
all the regular armies, which the British Go¬ 
vernment had the same year employed against 
Canada. The announcement of the victory 
was followed by a Thanksgiving, appointed by 
the Governor. 

The most important event^ of that period, 
was the conquest of Canada, which was com¬ 
pleted by the surrender of Montreal, September 
8th, 1760. The Colonies relieved from the 



2 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

burden of expensive wars, and the frontiers 
from the dread of Indian massacre, had abun¬ 
dant cause for rejoicing, and the acting Go¬ 
vernor of New York directed the event to be 
celebrated by Thanksgiving. His Proclama¬ 
tion was as follows: 

By the Hon. Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, 
President of his Majesty’s Council and 
[l. s.] Commander in Chief of the Province of 
New York and the Territories depending 
thereon in America. 

A PROCLAMATION. 
hereas it hath pleased Almighty God to 
’ ^ continue his divine presence and blessing 
with the forces of our gracious sovereign, em¬ 
ployed in North America, and enable them not 
only to recover the Territories of which the 
French had unjustly and perfidiously possess¬ 
ed themselves, but also to reduce the whole 
country of Canada to the dominion of his Ma¬ 
jesty whereby the northern Colonies are hap- 
ily delivered from the calamities of a cruel 
and barberous war, and have opened to them 
the most agreable prospect of lasting tranquility 
and the uninterupted enjoyment of their civil 
and religious liberties: All which great and 
unmerited blessings demand our public and 
grateful acknowledgements, I have therefore 
thought fit, by and with the advice of his Ma¬ 
jesty’s Council to ordain and I do ordain and 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


3 


appoint, that Thursday the third day of October 
instant, be set apart and observed throughout 
this Province as a day of Public Thanksgiving 
to Almighty God for these signal successes, 
and all his Majesty’s subjects within this Go¬ 
vernment are strictly commanded to observe the 
said day with the utmost decency and rever- 
ance, abstaining from all servile labor and de¬ 
voutly attending divine service which is hereby 
directed to be solomnly performed in all church¬ 
es and chappells and other places of publick 
worship, of which previous notice is to be given 
by publishing this Proclamation in the several 
congregations: and I do recommend to all minis¬ 
ters of the gospel that they offer up their earnest 
and devout prayers to Almighty God for the 
continuation of his blessing and protection on 
his Majesty’s person and illustrious family, and 
for such further success to his arms as may 
secure a safe and lasting peace. 

Given under my hand and seal at arms at 
Fort George, in the city of New York, the 
first day of October 1760, in the 34th 
year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, 
George the Second, by the grace of God 
of Great Britain, France and Ireland, 
King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 
CADWALLADER COLDEN. 

By his honour’s command, 

God save the King , 

G. W. Banyar, D. Secy. 


4 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 


[The success of the American arms at Saratoga, 
among other acts of public rejoicing, led to the ap¬ 
pointment, in Continental Congress, of a Committee, con¬ 
sisting of Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee and Daniel 
Roberdeau, “ to prepare a recommendation to the several 
States, to set apart a day for Thanksgiving, for the sig¬ 
nal success lately obtained over the enemies of these 
United States.” On the following day they brought in 
a report, which was taken into consideration and agreed 
to, as follows :*] 

IT^orasmuch as it is the indispensible duty of 
all men to adore the superintending provi¬ 
dence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with 
gratitude their obligation to him for benefits 
received, and to implore such farther blessings 


* The Commander-in-Chief's 
Orderly Book , dated Valley 
Forge, December It, lttt, 
has the following entry: 

“ To-morrow being the day 
“ set apart by the honorable 
“ Congress for Public Thanks- 
“ giving and praise, and duty 
“ calling us devoutly to ex- 
“ press our grateful acknow¬ 
ledgments to God for the 
“manifold blessings he has 
“ granted us, the general di- 


“rects that the army remain 
“ in its present quarters; and 
“ that the chaplains perform 
“divine service with their 
“ several corps and brigades; 
“ and earnestly exhorts all of- 
“ficers and soldiers, whose 
“ absence is not indispensa¬ 
bly necessary, to attend 
“ with reverence the solemni¬ 
ties of the day”— Sparks's 
Life and Writings of Wash¬ 
ington , Vol. v, p. 124. 



THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


5 


as they stand in need of; and it having pleased 
him in his abundant mercy not only to con¬ 
tinue to us the innumerable bounties of his 
common providence, but also smile upon us in 
the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for 
the defence and establishment of our unalien¬ 
able rights and liberties: particularly in that 
he hath been pleased in so great a measure to 
prosper the means used for the support of our 
troops and to crown our arms with most signal 
success: it is therefore recommended to the 
legislative or executive powers of these United 
States to set apart Thursday the 18 th day of 
December next, for Solemn Thanksgiving and 
praise ; that with one heart and one voice the 
good people may express the grateful feelings 
of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to 
the service of their Divine Benefactor; and that 
together with their sincere acknowledgments 
and offerings, they may join the penitent con¬ 
fession of their manifold sins, whereby they 
had forfeited every favor; and their humble 
and earnest supplication that it may please God, 
through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully 
to forgive and blot them out of remembrance ; 
^that it may please him graciously to afford his 
blessings on the Governments of these States, 
respectively, and prosper the Public Council of 
the whole; to inspire our Commanders, both by 
land and sea, and all under them, with that 
wisdom and fortitude, which may render them 


6 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


fit instruments, under the Providence of Al¬ 
mighty God, to secure for these United States 
the greatest of all blessings, independence and 
peace; that it may please him to prosper the 
trade and manufactures of the people, and the 
labor of the husbandman, that our land may 
yield its increase; to take schools and semi¬ 
naries of education, so necessary for cultivating 
the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, 
under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the 
means of religion, for the promotion and en¬ 
largement of that Kingdom which consisteth 
in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy 
Ghost. 

And it is further recommended, that servile 
labour and such recreation as, though at other 
times innocent, may be unbecoming the pur¬ 
pose of this appointment, be omitted on so 
solemn an occasion. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


7 


[Letter to Gov. George Clinton, enclosing* the reso¬ 
lutions of Congress.] 


Yorktown, Pennsylvania, ? 

1st November, 1777. \ 

Qir: 

^ The arms of the United States of America 
having been bles’d in the present campaign 
with remarkable success, Congress have re¬ 
solved to recommend that one day, Thursday, 
the 18 th December next, be set apart, to be ob¬ 
served by all the inhabitants throughout these 
States, for a General Thanksgiving to Almighty 
God. And I have it in command to transmit 
to you the enclosed extract, from the minutes 
of Congress for that purpose. 

Your Excellency will be pleased to take the 
necessary measures for carrying the resolve into 
effect, in the State in which you preside. You 
will likewise find enclosed, a certified copy of 
a minute, which will shew your Excellency 
the authority under which I have the honor of 
addressing you. 

I am, with great esteem and regard, sir, 
your Excellency’s most obedient and 
most humble servant. 

HENRY LAURENS, 
President in Congress. 

His Excellency, Gov. Clinton. 


8 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[The Chaplains of Congress were, on the 7th of No¬ 
vember, 1778, ordered to prepare and report a recom¬ 
mendation to the several States to set apart the 30th 
day of December following as a day of General Thanks¬ 
giving throughout the United States. On the 17th of 
November^ the recommendation was submitted, which 
being amended, was as follows :] 

Tt having pleased Almighty God, through the 
course of the present year, to bestow many 
great and manifold mercies on the people of 
these United States; and it being the indispens- 
ible duty of all men gratefully to acknowledge 
their obligations to him for benefits received; 

Resolved , That it be and hereby is recom¬ 
mended to the legislative or executive authority 
of each of the said States to appoint Wednes¬ 
day, the 30th of December next, to be observed 
as a day of public Thanksgiving and praise; that 
all people may with united hearts, on that day, 
express a just sense of his unmerited favour ; 
particularly in that it hath pleased him by his 
overruling providence to support us in a just 
and necessary war, for the defence of our rights 
and liberties, by affording us seasonable sup¬ 
plies for our armies; by disposing the heart of 
a powerful monarch to enter into an alliance 
with us, and aid our cause, # by defeating the 


* General Washington an¬ 
ticipated the Thanksgiving 
upon this occasion by several 
months. The following is an 


extract from his Orderly Book, 
dated May 6, 1778: 

“It having pleased the 
“Almighty Ruler of the Uni- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


9 


councils and evil designs of our enemies, and 
giving us victory over their troops ; and by the 
continuance of that union among these States 
which, by his blessing, will be their future 
strength and glory. 

And it is further recommended, that, to¬ 
gether with devout Thanksgiving, may be 
joined a penitent confession of our sins, and 
humble supplication for pardon, through the 
merits of our Saviour, so that, under the smiles 
of heaven, our public councils may be directed, 
our arms by land and sea prospered, our liberty 
and independence secured, our schools and 
seminaries of learning flourish, our trade be re- 


“ verse to defend the cause of 
“ the United American States, 
“ and finally to raise us up a 
“powerful friend among the 
“ princes of the earth, to es- 
“ tablish our liberty and in- 
“ dependency upon a lasting 
“foundation; it becomes us 
“ to set apart a day for grate¬ 
fully acknowledging the 
“ divine goodness, and cele- 
“ brating the important event 
“ which we owe to his divine 
“ interposition. The several 
“brigades are to be assem- 
“ bled for this purpose at nine 
“ o’clock to-morrow morning, 
“when their chaplains will 
“ communicate the intelli- 
“ gence contained in the Post- 
2 


“ script of the Pennsylvania 
“ Gazette of the 2d instant, 
“ and offer up thanksgiving, 
“ and deliver a discourse suit- 
“ able to the occasion. At 
“ half after ten o’clock a can- 
“ non will be fired, which is to 
“ be a signal for the men to 
“ be under arms; the brigade- 
“ inspectors will then inspect 
“ their dress and arms and 
“ form the battalions accord- 
“ ing to the instructions given 
“ them, and announce to the 
“ commanding officers of the 
“ brigade that the battalions 
“ are formed. 

“ The commanders of bri- 
“ gades will then appoint the 
“field-officers to the batta- 


10 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


vived, our husbandry and manufactures in¬ 
creased, and the hearts of all impressed with 
undissembled piety, with benevolence and 
zeal for the public good. 

And it is also recommended, that recreations 
unsuitable to the purpose of such a solemnity 
may be omitted on that day. 

Done in Congress this 17th day of Novem¬ 
ber, 1778, and in the third year of the 
Independence of the United States of 
America. HENRY LAURENS, 

President in Congress. 
Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary. 


“ lions, after which each bat- 
“ talion will be ordered to 
“ load and ground their arms. 
“At half past eleven a second 
“cannon will be fired as a 
“ signal for the march, upon 
“ which the several brigades 
“ will begin their march by 
“ wheeling to the right by 
“platoons, and proceed by 
“ the nearest way to the left 
“ of their ground by the new 
“position; this will be point- 
“ed out by the brigade-in- 
“ spectors. A third signal 
“will then be given, on 
“ which there will be a dis¬ 
charge of thirteen cannon; 
“ after which a running fire 
“ of the infantry will begin 
“ on the right of Woodford’s, 
“ and continue throughout 


“the front line; it will then 
“be taken upon the left of 
“the second line and con¬ 
tinue to the right. Upon 
“ a signal given, the whole 
“ army will huzza, Long live 
“ the King of France; the artil- 
“ lery then begins again and 
“fires thirteen rounds; this 
“ will be succeeded by a se- 
“ cond general discharge of 
“ the musketry in a running 
“ fire, and huzza, Long live the 
11 friendly European Lowers. 
“ The last discharge of thir- 
“ teen pieces of artillery will 
“be given, followed by a 
“general running fire, and 
“ huzza, The American States 
•— Sparks's Life and Writings 
of Washington , v, 355. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


11 


[On the 14th of October, 1779, Congress resolved, 
“ That it will be proper to set apart the 2d Thursday 
in December next as a day of General Thanksgiving in 
these United States, and that a committee of four be 
appointed to prepare a recommendation to the States 
for this purpose.” 

The members appointed were Jesse Root, Samuel 
Holten, Frederick A. Muhlenberg and Gouverneur 
Morris, who, on the 20th of October, reported the fol¬ 
lowing draft, which was agreed to :] 

X^^hereas it becomes us humbly to approach 
* * the throne of Almighty God, with grati¬ 
tude and praise for the wonders which his 
goodness has wrought in conducting our fore¬ 
fathers to this western world; for his protection 
to them and to their posterity amidst difficulties 
and dangers; for raising us, their children, 
from deep distress to be numbered among the 
nations of the earth; and for arming the hands 
of just and mighty princes in our deliverance ; 
and especially for that he hath been pleased to 
grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to 
order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath 
produced her increase in abundance, blessing 
the labours of the husbandman, and spreading 
plenty through the land ; that he hath prospered 
our arms and those of our ally; been a shield 
to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed 
their swords to victory, and led them in tri¬ 
umph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he 
hath gone with those who went out into the 


12 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


wilderness against the savage tribes; that he 
hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned 
back his meditated destruction; that he hath 
prospered our commerce, and given success to 
those who fought the enemy on the face of the 
deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the 
glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through 
the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may 
become the heirs of his eternal glory: there¬ 
fore, 

Resolved , That it be recommended to the 
several States to appoint Thursday, the 9th of 
December next, to be a day of Public and 
Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God for his 
mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his 
favour and protection to these United States; 
to beseech him that he would be graciously 
pleased to influence our public councils, and 
bless them with wisdom from on high, with 
unanimity, firmness and success; that he 
would go forth with our hosts and crown our 
armies with victory; that he would grant to 
his church the plentiful effusions of divine 
grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all minis¬ 
ters of the gospel; that he would bless and 
prosper the means of education, and spread 
the light of Christian knowledge through the 
remotest corners of the earth ; that he would 
smile upon the labours of his people, and cause 
the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; 
that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


13 


them ; that he would take into his holy protec¬ 
tion our illustrious ally, give him victory over 
his enemies, and render him signally great, as 
the father of his people and the protector of the 
rights of mankind; that he would graciously 
be pleased to turn the hearts of our enemies, 
and to dispense the blessings of peace to con¬ 
tending nations; that he would in mercy look 
down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us 
into his favour, and finally, that he would esta¬ 
blish the independence of these United States 
upon the basis of religion and virtue, and sup¬ 
port and protect them in the enjoyment of 
peace, liberty and safety. 

Done in Congress, the twentieth day of 
October, one thousand seven hundred 
and seventy-nine, and in the fourth year 
of the Independence of the United States 
of America. 

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, 
President. 

Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary. 


14 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[On the 18th of October, 1780, Congress took into 
consideration a resolution reported for setting apart a 
day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, and agreed upon the 
following:] 

A VT hereas it hath pleased Almighty God, the 
* * Father of all Mercies, amidst the vicissi¬ 
tudes and calamities of war, to bestow blessings 
on the people of these States, which call for 
their devout and thankful acknowledgments, 
more especially in the late remarkable interpo¬ 
sition of his watchful providence, in rescuing 
the person of our Commander-in-Chief and the 
army from imminent dangers at the moment 
when treason was ripened for execution; in 
prospering the labours of the husbandman, and 
causing the earth to yield its increase in plenti¬ 
ful harvests; and above all, in continuing to us 
the enjoyment of the gospel of peace: 

It is therefore recommended to the several 
States to set apart Thursday, the seventh day 
of December next, to be observed as a day of 
Public Thanksgiving and Prayer; that all the 
people may assemble on that day to celebrate 
the praises of our Divine Benefactor; to con¬ 
fess our unworthiness of the least of his 
favours, and to offer our fervent supplications 
to the God of all grace ; that it may please 
him to pardon our heinous transgressions, and 
incline our hearts for the future to keep all his 
laws; to comfort and relieve our brethren who 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


15 


are anywise afflicted or distressed; to smile 
upon our husbandry and trade ; to direct our 
public councils, and lead our forces by land and 
sea to victory; to take our illustrious ally under 
his special protection, and favour our joint 
councils and exertions for the establishment of 
speedy and permanent peace ; to cherish all 
schools and seminaries of education, and to 
cause the knowledge of Christianity to spread 
over all the earth. 

Done in Congress, this eighteenth day of 
October, 1780, and in the fifth year of 
the Independence of the United States 
of America. 

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President. 
Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary. 


16 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[A committee, consisting of John Witherspoon, John 
Montgomery, James M. Varnum and Roger Sherman, 
appointed September 13, 17S1, reported a draft of a 
Proclamation, which was agreed to, October 26th, as 
follows :] 

PROCLAMATION* 

’ \\T hereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the 
* * Father of Mercies, remarkably to assist 
and support the United States of America, in 
their important struggle for liberty, against the 
long continued efforts of a powerful nation; it 
is the duty of all ranks to observe and thank¬ 
fully to acknowledge the interpositions of his 


* Gen. Washington, in reply 
to a letter from the President 
of Congress, inclosing this 
Proclamation, thus wrote 
from Mount Vernon, Novem¬ 
ber 15, 1781: 

“ I have the honor to ac- 
“ knowledge the receipt of 
“your favor of the 31st ult., 
“ covering the resolutions of 
“ Congress of the 29th, and a 
“ Proclamation for a day of 
“ Public Prayer and Thanks¬ 
giving, and have to thank 
“you, sir, most sincerely for 
“ the very polite and affection¬ 
ate manner in which these 
“enclosures have been con- 
“ veyed. The success of the 
“ combined arms against our 
“ enemies at York and Glou- 


“ cester, as it affects the wel- 
“fare and independence of the 
“ United States, I viewed as a 
“most fortunate event. In 
“ performing my part towards 
“its accomplishment, I con- 
“ sider myself to have done 
“ only my duty, and in the ex- 
“ ecution of that I ever feel 
“myself happy; and at the 
“ same time, as it augurs well 
“ to our cause, I take a parti- 
“ cular pleasure in acknow- 
“ ledging, that the interpos¬ 
ing hand of heaven, in the 
“various instances of ourex- 
“ tensive preparations for this 
“operation, has been most 
“conspicuous and remarka- 
“ ble.” — Sparks 1 s Life and 
Writ, of Washington , vm, 201. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


17 


providence in their behalf. Through the whole 
of the contest, from its first rise to this time, 
the influence of Divine Providence may be 
clearly perceived in many signal instances, of 
which we mention but a few. 

In revealing the councils of our enemies, 
when the discoveries were seasonable and im¬ 
portant, and the means seemingly inadequate 
or fortuitous; in preserving and even improving 
the union of the several States, on the breach 
of which our enemies placed their greatest 
dependence; in increasing the number and 
adding to the zeal and attachment of the 
friends of liberty; in granting remarkable de¬ 
liverances, and blessing us with the most signal 
success, when affairs seemed to have the most 
discouraging appearance; in raiding up for us 
a powerful and generous ally, in one of the first 
of the European powers; in confounding the 
councils of our enemies, and suffering them to 
pursue such measures as have most directly 
contributed to frustrate their own desires and 
expectations; above all, in making their ex¬ 
treme cruelty to the inhabitants of these States, 
when in their power, and their savage devasta¬ 
tion of property, the very means of cementing 
our union, and adding vigour to every effort in 
opposition to them. 

And as Ave can not help leading the good 
people of these States to a retrospect on the 
events which have taken place, since the begin- 
3 


18 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


ning of the war, so we recommend, in a parti¬ 
cular manner to their observation, the goodness 
of God in the year now drawing to a conclu¬ 
sion. In which the confederation of the United 
States has been completed in which there 
have been so many instances of prowess and 
success in our armies; particularly in the south¬ 
ern States, where, notwithstanding the diffi¬ 
culties with which they had to struggle, they 
have recovered the whole country, which the 
enemy had over run, leaving them only a post 
or two on or near the sea; in which we have 
been so powerfully and effectually assisted by 
our allies, while in all the conjunct operations, 
the most perfect harmony has subsisted in the 
allied army; in which there has been so plentiful 
a harvest, and so great abundance of the fruits 
of the earth of every kind, as not only enables 
us easily to supply the wants of our army, but 
gives comfort and happiness to the whole peo¬ 
ple ; and in which, after the success of our allies 
by sea, a General of the first rank, with his 
whole army, has been captured by the allied 
forces, under the direction of our Commander- 
in-Chief.f 

It is therefore recommended to the several 


* The Delegates from Mary¬ 
land signed and ratified the 
Articles of Confederation, 
March 1, 1181, by which the 
league of the thirteen Colo¬ 
nies was confirmed. 


f On the 24th of October, 
1181, Congress resolved, that 
it would at 2 o’clock on that 
day, “ go in procession to the 
“ Dutch Lutheran Church, and 
“return thanks to Almighty 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


19 


States, to set apart the thirteenth day of De¬ 
cember next, to be religiously observed as a 
day of Thanksgiving and Prayer; that all the 
people may assemble on that day, with grateful 
hearts, to celebrate the praises of our gracious 
Benefactor; to confess our manifold sins; to 
offer up our most fervent supplications to the 
God of all grace, that it may please him to 
pardon our offences, and incline our hearts for 
the future to keep all his laws; to comfort and 
relieve all our brethren who are in distress or 
captivity; to prosper our husbandmen, and give 
success to all engaged in lawful commerce; to 
impart wisdom and integrity to our councillors, 
justice and fortitude to our officers and soldiers; 
to protect and prosper our illustrious ally, and 
favour our united exertions for the speedy es¬ 
tablishment of a safe, honorable and lasting 
peace; to bless all seminaries of learning, and 
cause the knowledge of God to cover the earth, 
as the waters cover the seas. 

Done in Congress, this twenty-sixth day 
of October, 1781, and in the sixth year 
of the Independence of the United States 
of America. 

THOMAS McKEAN, President. 
Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary. 

“ God, for crowning the allied “ British army, under the com- 
“ arms of the United States “mandof the Earl Cornwal- 
“ and France with success, by “ lis.” 

“ the surrender of the whole 


20 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[On the report of a committee, consisting of John 
Witherspoon, John Montgomery and Hugh Williamson, 
Congress, in October, 1782, appointed a day of Thanks¬ 
giving. This was transmitted to the several States, and 
upon its receipt by Gov. Clinton, he issued a Proclama¬ 
tion, embodying that adopted by Congress. It was in 
the following words :J 

By his Excellency, Geo. Clinton, Esq., Go¬ 
vernor of the State of New York, General 
and Comrnander-in-Chief of all the Mili¬ 
tia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same. 

PROCLAMATION. 

Agreeable to a Proclamation of the United 
[l. s.] States in Congress assembled, of the 
eleventh instant, in the words following, 
viz : 

44 Tt being the indispensable duty of all na- 
“ tions, not only to offer up their supplica- 
“ tions to Almighty God, the Giver of all Good, 
“ for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, 
“ but also in a solemn and public manner to 
“ give him praise for his goodness in general, 
“ and especially for great and signal interposi- 
“ tions of his providence in their behalf; there- 
“ fore the United States in Congress assembled, 
“ taking into their consideration the many in- 
u stances of divine goodness to these States, in 
“ the course of the important conflict in which 
“ they have been so long engaged ; the present 
“ happy and promising state of public affairs, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


21 


“ and the events of the war in the course of the 
“ year now drawing to a close, particularly the 
“ harmony of the public councils, which is so 
“ necessary to the success of the public cause ; 
“ the perfect union and good understanding 
“ which has hitherto subsisted between them 
“ and their allies, notwithstanding the artful 
“ and unwearied attempts of the common 
‘‘enemy to divide them; the success of the 
“ arms of the United States and those of their 
“ allies, and the acknowledgment of their in- 
“ dependence by another European power, 
“ whose friendship and commerce must be of 
“ great and lasting advantage to these States; 
“ do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of 
“ these States in general, to observe, and request 
“ the several States to interpose their authority 
“ in commanding and authorizing Thursday, 
“ the twenty-eighth day of November next, as 
“ a day of Solemn Thanksgiving to God for all 
“ his mercies ; and they do further recommend 
“ to all ranks, to testify their gratitude to God 
“ for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience to 
“ his laws, and by promoting, each in his sta* 
“ tion, and by his influence, the practice of true 
“ and undefiled religion, which is the great 
“ foundation of public prosperity and national 
“ happiness.” 

I do hereby earnestly recommend it to all 
the good people of this State, to set apart and 
observe Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of 


22 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and 
to abstain from all worldly labor and recrea¬ 
tions, and to assemble for public worship on 
that day accordingly. 

Given under my hand, and the privy seal 
of the said State, at Poughkeepsie, the 
twenty-second day of October, in the 
seventh year of the Independence of the 
said State, and in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
two. 

GEORGE CLINTON. 
By his Excellency’s command. 

Robert Benson, Secretary. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


23 


[The Committee, consisting of James Duane, Samuel 
Huntington and Samuel Holten, appointed to prepare a 
Proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving, reported on 
the 18th of October, 1783, a draft, which was agreed to 
as follows:] 

By the United States in Congress assembled. 
A PROCLAMATION. 

"YXThereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler 
* " of all human events to dispose the hearts 
of the late belligerent powers to put a period to 
the effusion of human blood, by proclaiming a 
cessation of all hostilities by sea and land, and 
these United States are not only happily res¬ 
cued from the dangers and calamities to which 
they have been so long exposed, but their free¬ 
dom, sovereignty and independence ultimately 
acknowledged. And whereas, in the progress 
of a contest on which the most essential rights 
of human nature depended, the interposition of 
Divine Providence in our favour hath been most 
abundantly and most graciously manifested, 
and the citizens of these United States have 
every reason for praise and gratitude to the God 
of their salvation. Impressed, therefore, with 
an exalted sense of the blessings by which we 
are surrounded, and of our entire dependence 
on that Almighty Being from whose goodness 
and bounty they are derived, the United States 
in Congress assembled, do recommend it to the 
several States to set apart the second Thursday 


24 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


in December next, as a day of Public Thanks¬ 
giving, that all the people may then assemble 
to celebrate with grateful hearts and united 
voices the praises of their Supreme and All- 
bountiful Benefactor, for his numberless favors 
and mercies. That he hath been pleased to 
conduct us in safety through all the perils and 
vicissitudes of the war; that he hath given us 
unanimity and resolution to adhere to our just 
rights; that he hath raised up a powerful ally 
to assist us in supporting them, and hath so far 
crowned our united efforts with success, that in 
the course of the present year hostilities have 
ceased, and we are left in the undisputed pos¬ 
session of our liberty and independence, and of 
the fruits of our land, and in the free participa¬ 
tion of the treasures of the sea; that he hath 
prospered the labour of our husbandmen with 
plentiful harvests; and above all, that he hath 
been pleased to continue to us the light of the 
blessed gospel, and secured to us in the fullest 
extent the rights of conscience in faith and 
worship. And while our hearts overflow with 
gratitude, and our lips set forth the praises of 
our great Creator, that we also offer up fervent 
supplications, that it may please him to pardon 
all our offences, to give wisdom and unanimity 
to our public councils, to cement all our citi¬ 
zens in the bonds of affection, and to inspire 
them with an earnest regard for the national 
honor and interest, to enable them to improve 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 25 

the days of prosperity by every good work, and 
to be lovers of peace and tranquility; that he 
may be pleased to bless us in our husbandry, 
our commerce and navigation; to smile upon 
our seminaries and means of education, to 
cause pure religion and virtue to flourish, to 
give peace to all nations, and to fill the world 
with his glory. 

Done by the United States in Congress as¬ 
sembled. Witness His Excellency, Elias 
Boudinot, our President, this eighteenth 
day of October, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
three, and of the Sovereignty and Inde¬ 
pendence of the United States of America 
the eighth. 

ELIAS BOUDINOT, President. 

Charles Williamson, Secretary. 

*Vk$ v* 


4 


26 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[A Committee of the Committee of the States, consist¬ 
ing of Mr. Read, Mr. Dana and Mr. Hand, to whom 
was referred the motion of Mr. Read of the 2d instant, 
<e That a committee be appointed to prepare a Procla- 
“ mation for a day of Solemn Prayer and Thanks- 
“ giving to Almighty God, to be observed throughout 
“ the United States of America, on the exchange of 
(( the instruments of ratification of the definitive treaty 
“ of peace between the United States of America and 
(C his Britannic Majesty; and the happy completion of 
“ the great work of independency and peace to these 
“ United States, 55 reported the following form of a Pro¬ 
clamation :] 

By the United States of America, in a 
Committee of the States assembled. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

TXThereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler 
* " of the Universe, of his infinite goodness and 
mercy, so to calm the minds and do away the 
resentment of the powers lately engaged in a 
most bloody and destructive war, and to dis¬ 
pose their hearts towards amity and friendship, 
that a general pacification hath taken place, 
and particularly a definitive treaty of peace be¬ 
tween the said United States of America and his 
Britannic Majesty was signed at Paris, on the 
third day of September, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three: 
the instruments of the final ratifications which 
were exchanged at Passy,on the 12th day of May, 
in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven 
hundred and eighty-four, whereby a finishing 


THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 


27 


hand was put to the great work of peace, and the 
freedom, sovereignty and independence of these 
States fully and compleatly established. And 
whereas, in pursuit of the great work of free¬ 
dom and independence, and the progress of the 
contest in which the United States of America 
have been engaged, and on the success of which 
the dearest and most essential rights of human 
nature depended, the benign interposition of 
Divine Providence hath, on many occasions, 
been most miraculously and abundantly mani¬ 
fested; and the citizens of the United States 
have the greatest reason to return their most 
hearty and sincere Praises and Thanksgiving 
to the God of their deliverance—whose name 
he praised. Deeply impressed, therefore, with 
the sense of the mercies manifested to these 
United States, and of the blessings which it 
hath pleased God to shower down on us, of our 
future dependence at all times on his power and 
mercy, as the only source from which so great 
benefits can be derived; we, the United States 
of America in the Committee of the States 
assembled, do earnestly recommend to the 
supreme Executives of the several States, to set 
apart Tuesday, the nineteenth day of October 
next, as a day of Public Prayer and Thanksgiv¬ 
ing, that all the people of the United States may 
then assemble in their respective churches and 
congregations, to celebrate with grateful hearts 
and joyful and united voices, the mercies and 


v 


28 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

praises of their all-bountiful Creator, most holy, 
and most righteous! for his innumerable favours 
and mercies vouchsafed unto them—more espe¬ 
cially that he hath been graciously pleased 
so to conduct us through the perils and dangers 
of the war, as finally to establish the United 
States in freedom and independency, and to 
give them a name and place among the princes 
and nations of the earth—that he hath raised 
up great captains and men of war from amongst 
us to lead our armies, and in our greatest dif¬ 
ficulties and distresses hath given us unanimity 
to adhere to and assert our just rights and pri¬ 
vileges ; and that he hath been most graciously 
pleased also to raise up a most powerful prince 
and magnanimous people, as allies to assist us 
in effectually supporting and maintaining them; 
that he hath been pleased to prosper the labour 
of our husbandmen; that there is no famine or 
want seen throughout our land ; and above all, 
that he hath been pleased to continue to us the 
light of gospel truths, and secured to us in the 
fullest manner the rights of conscience in faith 
and worship. 

And while our hearts overflow with gratitude, 
and our lips pronounce the praises of our great 
and merciful Creator, that we may also offer up 
our joint and fervent supplications, that it may 
please him of his infinite goodness and mercy 
to pardon all our sins and offences; to inspire 
with wisdom and a true sense of the public 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


29 


good, all our public councils; to strengthen 
and cement the bonds of love and affection be¬ 
tween all our citizens; to impress them with 
an earnest regard for the public good and 
national faith and honor, and to teach them to 
improve the days of peace by every good work; 
to pray that he will in a more especial manner 
shower down his blessings on Louis, the most 
Christian King our ally, to prosper his house, 
that his son’s sons may long sit on the throne 
of their ancestors a blessing to the people en¬ 
trusted to his charge—to bless all mankind, and 
inspire the princes and nations of the earth with 
the love of peace, that the sound of war may be 
heard of no more; that he may be pleased to 
smile upon us, and bless our husbandry, fishery, 
our commerce, and especially our schools and 
seminaries of learning; and to raise up from 
among our youth men eminent for virtue, learn¬ 
ing and piety, to his service in church and state; 
to cause virtue and true religion to flourish, to 
give to all nations amity, peace and concord, 
and to fill the world with his glory. 

Done by the United States, in the Commit¬ 
tee of the States assembled. Witness 
the Honorable Samuel Hardy, chairman, 
this third day of August, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty-soven, and in the ninth of the 
Sovereignty and Independence of the 
United States of America. 


30 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


NATIONAL THANKSGIVINGS 

UNDER WASHINGTON’S ADMINISTRATION. 


[A resolution was adopted in the House of Repre¬ 
sentatives, September 25th, 1789, in the following 
words: 

“ On motion, 

“ Resolved , That a Joint Committee of both Houses be 
“ directed to wait upon the President of the United 
“ States, to request that he would recommend to the 
“ People of the United States a day of Thanksgiving and 
“ Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grate- 
“ ful hearts the many signal favours of Almighty God, 
“ especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably 
“ to establish a Constitution of Government for their 
“ safety and happiness. 

“ Ordered, That Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Sherman and Mr. 
“ Silvester be of the said Committee on the part of this 
“ House.” 

Concurred by the Senate the same day.] 

PROCLAMATION. 

AIThereas it is the duty of all nations to ac- 

* * knowledge the providence of Almighty 
God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his 
benefits, and humbly to implore his protection 
and favor; and whereas both Houses of Con¬ 
gress have, by their joint Committee, requested 
me “ to recommend to the people of the United 
“ States a day of Public Thanksgiving and 



THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


31 


“ Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with 
“ grateful hearts the many and signal favours 
“ of Almighty God, especially by affording 
“ them an opportunity peaceably to establish a 
“ form of government for their safety and hap- 
“ piness 

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign 
Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November 
next, to be devoted by the people of these 
States to the service of that great and glorious 
Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the 
good that was, that is, or that will be ; that we 
may then all unite in rendering unto him 
our sincere and humble thanks for his kind 
care and protection of the people of this coun¬ 
try, previous to their becoming a nation; for 
the signal and manifold mercies, and the fa¬ 
vourable interpositions of his providence, in 
the course and conclusion of the late war; for 
the great degree of tranquility, union, and 
plenty, which we have since enjoyed; for the 
peaceable and rational manner in which we 
have been enabled to establish Constitutions of 
Government for our safety and happiness, and 
particularly the national one now lately insti¬ 
tuted ; for the civil and religious liberty with 
which we are blessed, and the means we have 
of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge ; 
and, in general, for all the great and various 
favours, which he has been pleased to confer 
upon us. 


32 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


And, also, that we may then unite in most 
humbly offering our prayers and supplications 
to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and 
beseech him to pardon our national and other 
transgressions; to enable us all, whether in 
public or private stations, to perform our several 
and relative duties properly and punctually; to 
render our National Government a blessing to 
all the people, by constantly being a govern¬ 
ment of wise, just, and constitutional laws, dis¬ 
creetly and faithfully executed and obeyed ; to 
protect and guide all sovereigns and nations 
(especially such as have shown kindness to us), 
and to bless them with good governments, 
peace and concord; to promote the knowledge 
and practice of true religion and virtue, and 
the increase of science, among them and us; 
and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such 
a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone 
knows to be best. 

Given under my hand, at the city of New 
York, the third day of October, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand seven 
hundred and eighty-nine. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


33 


[The suppression of the rebellion in Western Pennsyl¬ 
vania, which, for a time, threatened the safety of the 
Union, was deemed by President Washington an event 
that called for*-a public act of Thanksgiving, which 
he ordered, without special authority of Congress.] 


A PROCLAMATION. 



hen we review the calamities, which 


" * afflict so many other nations, the present 
condition of the United States affords much 
matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our 
exemption hitherto from foreign war, an in¬ 
creasing prospect of the continuance of that 
exemption, the great degree of internal tran¬ 
quility we have enjoyed, the recent confirma¬ 
tion of that tranquility by the suppression of an 
insurrection, which so wantonly threatened it, 
the happy course of our public affairs in gene¬ 
ral, the unexampled prosperity of all classes of 
our citizens, are circumstances, which peculi¬ 
arly mark our situation with indication of the 
Divine Beneficence towards us. In such a state 
of things, it is in an especial manner our duty 
as a people, with devout reverence and affec¬ 
tionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many 
and great obligations to Almighty God, and to 
implore him to continue and confirm the bless¬ 
ings we experience. 

Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, 
George Washington, President of the United 
States, do recommend to all religious societies 


5 


34 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

and denominations, and to all persons whom¬ 
soever within the United States, to set apart and 
observe Thursday, the 19th day of February 
next, as a day of Public Thanksgiving and 
Prayer, and on that day to meet together and 
render their sincere and hearty thanks to the 
Great Ruler of Nations for the manifold and 
signal mercies, which distinguish our lot as a 
nation ; particularly for the possession of con¬ 
stitutions of government, which unite, and by 
their union establish, liberty with order; for 
the preservation of our peace, foreign and do¬ 
mestic ; for the seasonable control, which has 
been given to a spirit of disorder in the sup¬ 
pression of the late insurrection; and, generally, 
for the prosperous course of our affairs public 
and private; and at the same time, humbly 
and fervently to beseech the kind Author of 
those blessings graciously to prolong them to 
us; to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn 
sense of our obligations to him for them ; to 
teach us rightly to estimate their immense 
value ; to preserve us from the arrogance of 
prosperity, and from hazarding the advantages 
we enjoy by delusive pursuits; to dispose us to 
merit the continuance of his favors by not 
abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and 
by a correspondent conduct as citizens and as 
men; to render this country more and more a 
safe and propitious asylum for the unfortunate 
of other countries; to extend among us true 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


35 


and useful knowledge; to diffuse and establish 
habits of sobriety, order, morality and piety; 
and finally, to impart all the blessings we pos¬ 
sess, or ask for yourselves, to the whole family 
of mankind. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the 
seal of the United States of America to 
be affixed to these presents, and signed 
the same with my hand. Done at the 
[l. s.] city of Philadelphia, this first day of Jan¬ 
uary, one thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-five, and of the Independence of 
the United States of America, the nine¬ 
teenth. 


GEORGE WASHINGTON. 


36 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


THANKSGIVING AT THE PEACE 
OF 1815. 


[The official notification of peace with Great Britain, 
was communicated to the House of Representatives, by 
the President, February 18th, 1815, and the same day 
the following resolution was introduced : 

t£ It being a duty particularly incumbent, in a time of 
“ public calamity and war, humbly and devoutly to ac- 
u knowledge our dependence on Almighty God, and to 
implore his aid and protection, and in times of de- 
“ lrverance and prosperity, to manifest our deep and 
“ undissembled gratitude to the Almighty Sovereign of 
“ the Universe; therefore, 

“ Resolved , by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
“ the United States of America in Congress assembled , That 
“ a Joint Committee of both Houses wait on the Presi- 
“ dent of the United States, and request that he recom- 
“ mend a day of Thanksgiving, to be observed by the 
<c people of the United States, with religious solemnity, 
“ and the offering of devout acknowledgments to God 
“ for his mercies, and in prayer to him for the continu- 
“ ance of his blessings.” 

A motion was made by Mr. Culpepper of North Caro¬ 
lina, February 21st, to strike out from the preamble, 
the words, “ in a time of public calamity and war, 
“ humbly and devoutly to acknowledge our dependence 
“ on Almighty God, and to implore his aid and protec- 
“ tion,” and prevailed ; and on the second of March, Mr. 
Fish of New York, and Mr. Culpepper, were appointed, 



THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 37 

on the part of the House, a Committee, to wait upon the 
President with the resolution. 

In accordance with this request, the President issued 
the following Proclamation:] 

PROCLAMATION 

By the President of the United States of 
America. 

rpHE Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States have, by a joint resolu¬ 
tion, signified their desire, that a day may be 
recommended to be observed, by the people of 
the United States, with religious solemnity, as 
a day of Thanksgiving, and of devout acknow¬ 
ledgments to Almighty God for his great good¬ 
ness, manifested in restoring to them the bless¬ 
ings of peace. 

No people ought to feel greater obligations 
to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer 
of events, and of the destiny of nations, than 
the people of the United States. His kind pro¬ 
vidence originally conducted them to one of 
the best portions of the dwelling place allowed 
for the great family of the human race. He 
protected and cherished them, under all the 
difficulties and trials to which they were ex¬ 
posed in their early days. Under his fostering 
care, their habits, their sentiments and their 
pursuits, prepared them for a transition in due 
time to a state of Independence and of Self-go¬ 
vernment. In the arduous struggle by which 
it was attained, they were distinguished by 


38 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


multiplied tokens of his benign interposition. 
During the interval which succeeded, he reared 
them into strength, and endowed them with 
the resources which have enabled them to 
assert their national rights, and to enhance 
their national character in another arduous 
conflict, which is now happily terminated, by 
a peace and reconciliation with those who have 
been our enemies. And to the same Divine 
Author of every good and perfect gift, we are 
indebted for all those privileges and advantages, 
religious as well as civil, which are so richly 
enjoyed in this favored land. 

It is for blessings such as these, and more 
especially for the restoration of the blessings of 
peace, that I now recommend that the second 
Thursday in April next, be set apart as a day 
on which the people of every religious denomi¬ 
nation, may, in their solemn assemblies, unite 
their hearts and their voices, in a free-will of¬ 
fering to their Heavenly Benefactor, of their 
homage of Thanksgiving, and of their songs of 
Praise. 

Given at the city of Washington, on the 
fourth day of March, in the year of our 
[l. s.] Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
fifteen, and of the Independence of the 
United States the thirty-ninth. 

JAMES MADISON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


39 


MESSAGE 

Of the Governor of New York, communi¬ 
cating an official notice of the ratifica¬ 
tion of the Treaty of Peace.* 

“ Gentlemen : I have the honor to inform you, that 
“ I have received official information of the ratifica- 
• “ tion of a Treaty of Peace, between the United States 
“ and Great Britain. 

“ In presenting you my congratulations on this au- 
“ spicious event, I am forcibly struck with the propriety 
“ of offering up our Thanks to the Beneficent Ruler of 
“ the Universe, that he has been pleased to signalize our 
£< arms by so many splendid and important victories, 
“ and to conduct our beloved country, thus successfully, 
“ through the perils of war. Under this impression, I 
<£ feel it a sacred duty to unite with the Legislature, in 
“ recommending to the citizens of this State, the ob- 
“ servance of a day to be devoted to suitable Prayer, 
“ Thanksgiving and Praise.” 

DANIEL D. TOMPKINS. 
Albany, 21st February, 1815. 


* The Peace of Ghent, was 
signed by the Commissioners, 
December 14, 1814, and pro¬ 
claimed by the President, 
February 18, 1815. 

On the same day that the 
above Message was trans¬ 
mitted, the x\ssembly had 
passed a series of resolu¬ 
tions, for celebrating in a 
becoming manner the ratifi¬ 
cation of Peace, which was 


then generally reported to 
have occurred, although no 
official notification had been 
received. By the first of 
these resolutions, the Go¬ 
vernor was requested, as 
soon as official notice of the 
ratification should be re¬ 
ceived, to issue a Procla¬ 
mation, appointing an early 
day to be observed as a day 
of Thanksgiving. 


40 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


[Extract from the New York Senate Journal.] 

* ***** 

“ The Senate then resolved itself into a Committee of 
“ the Whole, on the Message of his Excellency the Go- 
“ vernor, of this day, informing the Senate of his having 
“ been officially informed of the ratification of a Treaty 
“ of Peace between the United States and Great Britain, 

“ and congratulating the Senate on this auspicious * 
“ event; and also recommending the propriety of setting 
“ apart a day to be devoted to suitable Prayer, Thanks- 
“ giving and Praise ; and after some time spent thereon, 

“ Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Bishop, from 
« c the said Committee, reported that the Committee had 
<c agreed to the resolutions, in the words following, to 
“ wit: 

“ Resolved , as the sense of this Committee, that the 
“ Senate do reciprocate to his Excellency the Governor, 

“ the congratulations this day communicated by him to 
“ this House, on the auspicious event of a ratification 
“ of a Treaty of Peace, between the United States and 
“ Great Britain. 

“ Resolved , as the sense of this Committee (if the ho- 
“ norable the Assembly concur herein), that his Ex- 
<c cellency the Governor be requested to appoint, and 
“ recommend by Proclamation, a day of public Prayer, 

“ Thanksgiving and Praise, to be observed by the citi- 
“ zens of this State, to offer thanks to Almighty God, 

“ for the ratification of a Treaty of Peace and Amity, 

“ between the United States and Great Britain ; that he 
“ has been pleased to signalize our arms by so many 
“ splendid and important victories; that he has con- 
“ ducted our country successfully through the perils of 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 41 

“ war ; and that he has preserved to us our invaluable 
“ civil and religious institutions.” 

Agreed to in Senate, February 21, 1815. 

Agreed to in Assembly, February 24, 1815. 

PROCLAMATION 

By Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of the 
state of New York, General and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of all the Militia, and 
Admiral of the Navy of the same. 

Tn compliance with a resolution of the Senate 
and Assembly of this State, I do hereby set 
apart the second Thursday of April next, to he 
devoted to public Prayer, Thanksgiving and 
Praise; and I do most earnestly recommend to 
the good people of this State, of every denomi- 
ation, to abstain from all kinds of labor and 
business on that day, to meet in their respective 
places of worship, and there unite their hearts 
in fervent prayer to the Most High, in humble 
acknowledgment of his all protecting influence; 
and in celebration of his goodness manifested 
to us as a nation, in that he has been pleased 
to signalize our arms by so many splendid 
victories—to conduct our country successfully 
through the perils of the late war—to restore 
to us the blessings of peace, and to preserve, 
unimpaired, our civil and religious institu¬ 
tions. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the 
privy seal of the State of New York to be 
6 


42 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


hereunto affixed, at the city of Albany, 
[l. s.] the seventeenth day of March, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifteen. 

DANIEL D. TOMPKINS. 
By his Excellency the Governor. 

Robert Tillqtson, Priv. Secretary, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


43 


THANKSGIVINGS 


ORDERED BY THE GOVERNORS OF NEW YORK. 


By his Excellency John Jay, Esq., Govern¬ 
or and Commander-in-Chief of the State 
of New York. 

A PROCLAMATION. 
hereas the Great Creator and Preserver of 



* ^ the Universe, is the Supreme Sovereign 
of Nations, and does when and as he pleases, 
reward or punish them by temporal blessings 
or calamities according as their national con¬ 
duct recommends them to his favor and bene-fi- 
cence, or excites his displeasure and indignation: 

And whereas, in the course of his govern¬ 
ment he hath graciously been pleased to shew 
singular kindness to the people and nation of 
which this State is a constituent member, by 
protecting our ancestors in their first establish¬ 
ment in this then savage wilderness—by de¬ 
fending them against their enemies—by bless¬ 
ing them with an uncommon degree of peace, 
liberty and safety, and with the civilizing light 
and influence of his holy gospel—by leading 
us (as it were by the hand), through the various 
dangers and difficulties of the late revolution, 



44 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

and crowning it with success; by giving us 
wisdom and opportunity to establish govern¬ 
ments and institutions, auspicious to order, se¬ 
curity and rational liberty; by preserving us 
from being involved in the wars, and other 
grievous calamities, which at this moment af¬ 
flict and distress many nations,* by restoring 
peace between us and the hostile Indians, who 
infested our borders ;f by constantly favoring us 
with fruitful seasons, and in general, by giving 
us a greater portion of public welfare and pros¬ 
perity than to any other people. 

And whereas, it hath pleased him, by permit¬ 
ting sickness to prevail, and be fatal to the lives 
of many of our principal city,J and in sundry 
places in this and other States, and by the ex¬ 
tensive alarms and embarrassments which at¬ 
tended it, to remind us that prosperity and 
adversity are in his hand, and that in all our 
pursuits we are to remember that he is the 


* The first coalition against 
France, directed by England, 
was formed in 1793, and 
embraced every principal 
country in Europe, except 
Sweden, Denmark and Tur¬ 
key. Its special design was 
to check the republican tend¬ 
encies of the French Revolu¬ 
tion. 

f The Treaty at Greene- 


ville, signed August 3, 1795, 
included eleven hostile In¬ 
dian tribes, and was followed 
by the rapid settlement of 
the western frontiers. 

J The yellow fever pre¬ 
vailed to a fearful extent, in 
New York city in this year. 
The history of this visitation 
has been written by Dr. Rich¬ 
ard Bayley. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


45 


cause and giver of all the good that was, that 
is or that will be. 

And whereas, our Almighty Sovereign, in 
addition to his other mercies, hath lately staid 
the hand of the destroying angel, and by thus 
manifesting and multiplying his benefits to us 
as a people, call upon us as a people to mani- 
est our gratitude to him. 

Wherefore, and particularly on this occasion* 
it appears to me to be the public duty of the 
people of this State, collectively considered, to 
render unto him their sincere and humble 
thanks, for all these his great and unmerited 
mercies and blessings; and also to offer up to 
him their fervent petitions to continue to us 
his protection and favor. To preserve to us 
the undisturbed enjoyment of our civil and re¬ 
ligious rights and privileges, and the valuable 
life and usefulness of the President of the United 
States. To enable all our rulers, councils and 
people, to do the duties incumbent on them, 
respectively, with wisdom and fidelity—to pro¬ 
mote the extension of true religion, virtue and 
learning—to give us all grace to cultivate na¬ 
tional union, concord and goodwill; and gene¬ 
rally to bless our nation, and all other nations, 
in the manner and measure most conducive to 
our and their best interests and real welfare. 

Whether the Governor of this State is vested 
with authority to appoint a day for these pur¬ 
poses, and to enjoin the observance of it, is a 


46 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


question, which, circumstanced as it is, I con¬ 
sider as being more proper for the Legislature 
than for me to decide. But, as the people of 
the State have constituted me their Chief Ma¬ 
gistrate, and being perfectly convinced, that 
national prosperity depends, and ought to de¬ 
pend, on national gratitude and obedience to 
the Supreme Ruler of all Nations, I think 
it proper to recommend, and therefore I do 
earnestly recommend, to the clergy and others, 
my fellow citizens, throughout this State, to 
set apart Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of 
November inst., for the purposes aforesaid, and 
to observe it accordingly. 

Given under my hand, at the Government 
House, in the city of New York, on the 
eleventh day of November, in the year 
[l. s.] of our Lord, one thousand seven hun¬ 
dred and ninety-five, and in the twen¬ 
tieth year of the Independence of the 
United States. 


JOHN JAY. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 47 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

hereas it is an obvious and solemn duty, to 
* " render the oblations of devout and grate¬ 
ful hearts to Almighty God, for the manifold 
blessings conferred upon us at all times, by the 
gracious dispensations of his providence, and 
especially for those so signally and extensively 
experienced at the present period, in the abund¬ 
ant productions of the earth ; in the prevalence 
of general health ; in the increasing diffusion 
of the lights of knowledge; in the success¬ 
ful progress of useful improvements; in the 
flourishing state of our seminar ies of education ; 
in the continued enjoyment of peace, liberty 
and Independence, and in the general pros¬ 
perity of the American people. I have there¬ 
fore considered it an indispensable obligation, 
to recommend, and I do accordingly recom¬ 
mend, the observance of Thursday, the thir¬ 
teenth day of November next, as a day of 
Prayer and Thanksgiving in this State. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and caused the privy 
seal of the State to be affixed, at the 
[l. s.] city of Albany, this fifteenth day of Oc- 


48 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


tober, in the year of our Lord one thou¬ 
sand eight hundred and seventeen, and 
in the forty-second year of the Independ¬ 
ence of the United States. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


49 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

AVThereas the great and multiplied blessings 
* * conferred by Almighty God on the people 
of this State, demand from them the solemn 
and united expression of gratitude to the Au¬ 
thor of every good and perfect gift, I have 
therefore considered it an indispensable duty to 
recommend the observance of a day for Public 
Prayer and Thanksgiving ; and I do accordingly 
recommend for that purpose, Thursday, the 
fifth day of November next. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this twenty-first day of September, in 
[l. s.] the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and eighteen, and in the forty- 
third year of the Independence of the 
United States. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


7 


50 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

'\\y r hereas the offering up to Almighty God, 
* * of public and united thanks for his bless¬ 
ings, is an evident duty of religion; and the 
recommendation of a particular day for that 
solemn purpose, while it in no wise interferes 
with the freedom of religious opinion or prac¬ 
tice, is the most direct and proper means of 
uniting individual Thanksgiving in one social 
expression of the public gratitude. And where¬ 
as, this State has been greatly distinguished by 
the dispensation of a Benign Providence; having 
experienced during the past year the continued 
blessings of freedom and of peace—the success¬ 
ful progress of great internal improvements— 
the increase of seminaries of education.—the 
general preservation of the public health, and 
its deliverance in the metropolis from calami¬ 
ties with which it was menaced—an unprece¬ 
dented abundance of the fruits of the earth, and 
an augmentation of the lights of religion and 
knowledge. Now, therefore, I have judged it 
my incumbent duty, to recommend to the 
good people of this State, the observance of 
Wednesday, the twenty-second day of Novem- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


51 


ber next, as a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. 
And I do so in the earnest hope, that all, except 
such as may be withheld by scruples of con¬ 
science, will, on that day, assemble in their 
respective places of worship, and present the 
sublime spectacle, of a whole people offering 
the homage of devout and grateful hearts, to 
that great and good Being, from whose bounty 
we derive all that we enjoy. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this first day of November, in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and nineteen. 


DE WITT CLINTON. 


52 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

~ Wr hereas public demonstrations of gratitude 
* * to Almighty God, especially for signal and 
unmerited blessings, are enjoined by the most 
impressive considerations of patriotism, and 
the most solemn obligations of religion. And 
whereas, it has been his divine pleasure to con¬ 
tinue his manifestations of great goodness to 
the people of this State, in averting the ravages 
of pestilence, multiplying the fruits of the 
earth, promoting the diffusion of religion, ad¬ 
vancing the interests of knowledge, prospering 
internal improvements, and vouchsafeing the 
enjoyment of liberty, peace and plenty. 

Now, therefore, under a grateful sense of 
these indulgent dispensations, a solemn convic¬ 
tion, that private happiness and public pros¬ 
perity are indissolubly connected with the 
cultivation of religion, and a deep solicitude to 
endeavor to merit the favor of Divine Provi¬ 
dence, I do hereby recommend to the good 
people of this State, the obser vance of Wednes¬ 
day, the sixth day of December next, as a day 
of Public Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


53 


scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
seal of the State, at the city of New 
[l. s.] York, this twenty-fifth day of October, 
Anno Domino eighteen hundred and 
twenty. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


54 


THANKSGIVING PllOCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

\\ T hereas the offering up to Almighty God, 
™ * of public and united thanks for his bless¬ 
ings, is an evident duty of religion. And where¬ 
as, the recommendation of a particular day for 
that solemn purpose, interferes in no wise with 
religious freedom, and is the most direct and 
proper means of uniting individual Thanksgiv¬ 
ing in one social expression of the public grati¬ 
tude. And whereas, this State has been greatly 
distinguished by the gracious dispensation of 
Divine Providence, having experienced during 
the present year, the continued blessings of 
liberty and peace; the successful progress of 
great internal improvements; the increased 
usefulness of seminaries of education; the ge¬ 
neral preservation of health ; an abundance of 
the fruits of the earth, and an augmentation of 
the lights of religion and knowledge. 

Now, therefore, I have judged it my incum¬ 
bent duty, to recommend to the good people of 
this State, the observance of Wednesday, the 
twelfth day of December next, as a day of 
Prayer and Thanksgiving. And I do so in the 
earnest hope and in the confident expectation, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


55 


that all, except such as may be withheld by 
scruples of conscience, will on that day as¬ 
semble in their respective places of worship, 
and present the sublime spectacle, of a whole 
people offering the homage of devout and grate¬ 
ful hearts to that great and good Being from 
whose bounty we derive all that we enjoy. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this tenth day of October, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and twenty-one. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


56 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

"TIT hereas public demonstrations of gratitude 
" * to Almighty God, for the manifold dispen¬ 
sations of his goodness, and for the enjoyment 
of signal and unmerited blessings, are enjoined 
by the most impressive considerations of patri¬ 
otism, and the most solemn obligations of re¬ 
ligion. And whereas, it has been his divine 
pleasure to continue his manifestations of great 
goodness to the people of this State, in multi¬ 
plying the fruits of the earth, promoting the 
diffusion of religion, advancing the interests of 
knowledge, prospering interna] improvements, 
and vouch safeing the enjoyment of liberty, 
peace and plenty. 

Now, therefore, under a grateful sense of 
these indulgent dispensations, a solemn con¬ 
viction that private happiness and public pros- 
perty are indissolubly connected with the culti¬ 
vation of religion, and a deep solicitude to en¬ 
deavor to merit the favor of Divine Providence, 
I do hereby recommend to the good people of 
this State, the observance of Thursday, the 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 57 

fifth day of December next, as a day of Public 
Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
[l. s.] this thirty-first day of October, Anno 
Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
twenty-two. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


8 


58 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Joseph C. Yates, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

TfTHEREAS the people of this State have been 
" ’ highly favored with unmerited blessings 
from the protecting hand of the Beneficent Creat¬ 
or and Ruler of the Universe, signally manifested 
throughout the year past, by continuing to pro¬ 
mote the cause of religion in our land, the dif¬ 
fusion of it abroad, and the dissemination of 
useful knowledge among all classes of citizens ; 
by withholding the alarming and destructive 
scourge of pestilence ;* by causing the earth to 
yield an abundant increase, and thus gladden¬ 
ing the heart of the husbandman, and removing 
apprehension and anxiety from all, in giving 
health, peace and plenty. By affording posi¬ 
tive indications, that the enterprise, persever¬ 
ance and patriotism of the people, for some 
time past, evinced by the unexampled liberality 
of their representatives, with regard to their 
internal improvements, will he successful and 

* The city of New York peared in Brooklyn, and se- 
had been visited, the year veral died. Great alarm pre- 
previous, by the yellow vailed, more especially as 
fever, of which four hun- the disease appeared in a 
dred and eleven persons sick- quarter of the city, before 
ened, and two hundred and considered very healthy, 
forty died. It also ap- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


59 


extremely useful and advantageous. By en¬ 
abling the constituted authorities under his su¬ 
perintending care and guidance, peacefully to 
organize a government, according to a con¬ 
stitution formed and adopted by the people ; 
securing to them the blessings of liberty, and 
the undisturbed fruition of their own labor and 
exertions.* These, and innumerable other im¬ 
portant blessings, daily dispensed to all, call 
loudly for a united and public expression of 
gratitude to Almighty God, beseeching him to 
continue his benign favors, and to vouchsafe to 
them, individually, and as a community, dis¬ 
positions to cherish a grateful remembrance of 
his unbounded goodness and mercy towards 
them. I do therefore, under a solemn sense of 
duty, recommend to the good people of this 
State, the observance of Thursday, the eigh¬ 
teenth day of December next, as a day of Pub¬ 
lic Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this eighteenth day of October, A. D. 
one thousand eight hundred and twenty- 
three. 

JOSEPH C. YATES. 

* The Constitutional Con- in February, 1822, and went 
vention of 1821, met in Au- into full operation on the 
gust, and the Constitution first day of January, 1823. 
was adopted by popular vote 


60 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Joseph C. Yates, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

"\\T hereas the blessings of Almighty God have 
^ * been specially bestowed upon the people 
of this State, during the past year—in the 
abundance of the harvests; in the unexampled 
prosperity prevailing throughout our happy 
land ; in the protection afforded to our lives, 
liberty and property, and in all our temporal 
and religious concerns; benefits demanding the 
most sincere and fervent gratitude and thanks 
to the Creator and Preserver of the Universe. 
I have therefore designated Thursday, the 21st 
day of December next, as a day of Public Prayer 
and Thanksgiving ; the observance of which is 
hereby recommended to the good people of this 
State. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
[l. s.] this eighteenth day of November, in the 
year of our Lord, one thousand eight 
hundred and twenty-four. 

JOSEPH C. YATES. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


61 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

\\ T hereas public demonstration of gratitude 
"to Almighty God, especially for signal 
and unmerited blessings, are enjoined by the 
most impressive considerations of patriotism 
and the most solemn obligations of religion. 
And whereas it has been his divine pleasure to 
continue his manifestations of great goodness 
to the people of this State, in averting the ra¬ 
vages of disease, multiplying the fruits of the 
earth, promoting the diffusion of religion and 
useful knowledge, advancing the interests of 
agriculture, manufactures, trade and commerce, 
prospering internal improvements, vouchsafing 
the enjoyment of liberty, peace and plenty, 
and infusing an increasing spirit of good will 
and harmony into this great community. Now 
therefore, under a grateful sense of these in¬ 
dulgent dispensations, a solemn conviction 
that private happiness and public prosperity 
are indissolubly connected with the cultivation 
of religion, and a deep solicitude to endeavor 
to merit the favor of Divine Providence, I do 
hereby recommend to the good people of this 
State, the observance of Thursday the twenty- 


62 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


fourth day of November, as a day of Public 
Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
[l. s.] this eighteenth day of October, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and twenty-five. 

DE AVITT CLINTON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


63 


PROCLAMATION 

By DeWitt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

hereas public demonstration of gratitude 
" * to Almighty God, for the manifest dis¬ 
pensations of his goodness, and for the enjoy¬ 
ment of signal and unmerited blessings, are 
duties of paramount and indispensable obliga¬ 
tion. And whereas it has been his divine 
pleasure to continue his manifestations of great 
goodness to the people of this State, in multi¬ 
plying the fruits of the earth, promoting the 
diffusion of religion, advancing the interests of 
knowledge, averting the ravages of disease, 
prospering internal improvements and vouch¬ 
safing the enjoyment of liberty, peace and 
plenty. Now therefore, under a grateful sense 
of these high and beneficent dispensations, and 
with a deep solicitude in the performance of a 
solemn duty, I do hereby recommend to the 
good people of this State, the observance of 
Thursday the seventh day of December next, 
as a day of Public Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my name and the privy seal, at the city 


64 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


of Albany, this twenty-fifth day of Octo- 
[l. s.] her, Anno Domini one thousand eight 
hundred and twenty-six. 

DE WITT CLINTON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


65 


PROCLAMATION 

By De Wilt Clinton, Governor of the State 
of New York. 



hereas the recommendation of a particu- 


T " lar day for the offering up to Almighty 
God of public and united thanks for his mani¬ 
fold blessings, interferes in no wise with reli¬ 
gious freedom, and is the most direct and proper 
means of uniting individual thanksgiving in 
one social expression of the public gratitude; 
and whereas the people of this State have been 
greatly distinguished by the gracious dispensa¬ 
tions of Divine Providence, having experienced 
for a long time the blessings of liberty, plenty 
and peace, the benefits of great internal im¬ 
provements, of prosperous seminaries of edu¬ 
cation, and of a general state of health, an 
abundance of the fruits of the earth, and an 
augmenting diffusion of the lights of religion 
and knowledge. Now therefore, I have judged 
it my incumbent duty, to recommend to the 
good people of this State, the observance of 
Wednesday the twelfth day of December next, 
as a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and I do 
so in the earnest hope and in the confident 
expectation that all, except such as may be 
withheld by scruples of conscience, will on 
that day assemble in their respective places of 


9 


66 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


worship, and present the sublime spectacle of 
a whole people offering the homage of devout 
and grateful hearts to that great and good 
Being from whose bounty we derive all that we 
enjoy. 

In witness whereof I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal, at the city of Albany, this twenty- 
third day of October, Anno Domini one 
thousand eight hundred and twenty- 
seven. 


PE WITT CLINTON. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


67 


PROCLAMATION 

By Nathaniel Pitcher, Lieutenant-Govern¬ 
or of the State of New York.* 

\VT hereas the continued goodness of Almighty 

* * God to the people of this State, in per¬ 
mitting us to enjoy the blessings of republican 
institutions, in crowning the year with his 
mercy, by the abundant production of the 
“kindly fruits of the earth,” in the diffusion of 
moral instruction and science, by sustaining 
our colleges, academies, and sabbath and com¬ 
mon school institutions; in continuing to us 
the light of revelation, and the consolation and 
toleration of religious profession and worship— 
these and numberless other evidences of divine 
favor, demand from us a public expression of 
devout and grateful acknowledgment. I do 
therefore, in accordance with custom, and 
under a solemn sense of public duty, recom¬ 
mend to the good people of this State, the 
observance of Thursday the fourth day of De¬ 
cember next, as a day of Public Prayer and 
Thanksgiving; and in so doing, I indulge the 
confident expectation, that all with the excep¬ 
tion of those who may be restrained by con- 

* Lieut. Gov. Pitcher acted Feb. 11, 1828, till the end of 
as Governor from the death the year. 

of Gov. De Witt Clinton, 


68 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

scientious scruples, will assemble on that day 
in their respective places of public worship, 
and with devout and grateful hearts present 
their thank-offering to Almighty God, for the 
multiplied blessings which we are permitted 
to enjoy. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
the twenty-seventh day of October, Anno 
Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
twenty-eight. 

NATHANIEL PITCHER. 


THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 


69 


PROCLAMATION 

By Enos T. Throop, Lieutenant-Governor 
of the State of New York, administering 
the government thereof.* 

Tt has pleased Almighty God to distinguish 
the people of this State by unmerited and 
unwonted favors. He has given us strength 
and wisdom, and by his guidance we have be¬ 
come members of a national and state govern* 
ment which secures to us safety from foreign 
aggression, and to each of us the enjoyment of 
our due, civil rights, and freedom of religious 
opinion. By his great goodness, our hearts 
have been disposed to cultivate the growth of 
knowledge and virtue, by the instrumentality 
of public worship, of schools, and of benevolent 
and charitable institutions, and to consider 
them as means of individual happiness and 
national prosperity. 

He has been graciously pleased to vouchsafe 
to us during the past year, a continuance of 
peace with other nations, tranquillity at home, 
health, and abundant harvests. 

For these, and for his innumerable favors to 

* Lieut. Gov. Throop acted March 12, 1829, till the ex- 
as Governor from the resig- piration of the term, 
nation of Gov. Van Buren, 


70 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

us, as a people and as a nation, and that he 
may continue to us his mercy and protection, 
it is our bounden duty with grateful hearts, 
solemnly and publicly to render our united and 
fervent thanks to our Divine Creator, Guide 
and Protector. 

T do therefore, in conformity to usage, re¬ 
commend to the good people of this State, the 
observance of Thursday the third day of De¬ 
cember next, as a day of Public Prayer and 
Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my name, and the privy seal of the 
[l. s.] State, this twenty-sixth day of October, 
Anno Domini one thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and twenty-nine. 

ENOS T. THROOP. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


71 


PROCLAMATION 


By Enos T. Throop, Governor of the State 
of New York, administering the govern¬ 
ment thereof. 



hereas the wisdom of man is hut a small 


T " light shining around his footsteps, shew¬ 
ing the things that are near, while all beyond 
is shrouded in darkness, manifesting our de¬ 
pendence upon a God of infinite wisdom, the 
Creator and Guide of all things, who directs 
our path through the dark and unseen places, 
and to ends which human wisdom foresees 
not, and evincing that our condition here, 
whether of good or evil, is according to his 
good pleasure operating upon our hearts and 
minds, and not according to our own will: 
Wherefore it is becoming, not only in indivi¬ 
duals but in nations, to prostrate themselves 
before him, in humble thankfulness lor all the 
good things which he hath vouchsafed to them, 
and to implore the continuance of his divine 
favor, according to his good pleasure. Deeply 
impressed with these truths, and in conformity 
to usage, I do hereby appoint and set apart, 
Thursday the ninth day of December next, and 
recommend its observance throughout the 


72 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

State in Religions Exercises and Thanksgiving 
to Almighty God; for having continued his 
signal favor to the people of this State and these 
United States, during the past year, and espe¬ 
cially for having given to us fruitful and health¬ 
ful seasons, to the comfort and nourishment of 
our bodies; for having continued in us exer¬ 
tions for the general diffusion of knowledge 
and learning, to the enlightenment of our 
minds, and fitting us for the enjoyment of our 
social advantages, and the preservation of our 
inestimable privileges as a nation; for having 
cultivated in us a spirit of charity, and an en¬ 
lightened sense of religious and moral duties, 
and preserved to us an unrestrained religious 
worship, according to the dictates of our con¬ 
science, whereby we are saved from the bigot¬ 
ry, fanaticism, and cruel persecutions for opi¬ 
nion’s sake, which in other less enlightened 
times and countries have drenched the altars 
of patriotism and true religion with the blood 
of human sacrifices; for having protected us 
from foreign wars and intestine commotions, 
and as friends of the human race let us thank 
him for the signal manifestations of his mercy 
towards the oppressed people of other nations, 
by enlightening them to a knowledge of their 
rights, and inspiring them with a will to repose 
them in a spirit of mercy and forbearance. 
Finally, let our devout aspirations to the God 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 73 


of all mercies be, that he will sanction to us 
and to all men, the beneficent dispensations 
of his providence. 

Given under my hand, and the privy seal, 
at the city of Albany, the sixth day of 
[l. s.] November, Anno Domini one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty. 

ENOS T. THROOP. 


10 


74 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Enos T. Throop, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

T>eing conscious that a periodical public obla- 

tion of our hearts to Almighty God is ac¬ 
ceptable to him, and a pleasing duty, and that 
it is highly becoming in nations recipients of 
his favors, as well as individuals, I do in 
humble reverence, and in conformity to usage, 
recommend to the people of this State, the 
observance of Thursday the eighth day of De¬ 
cember next, as a day of Prayer and Thanks¬ 
giving. Let us with united hearts on that day, 
renew to him our acknowledgments of grati¬ 
tude, for those peculiar national institutions by 
which he has distinguished us among the na¬ 
tions of the earth, and whereby all our civil 
and religious rights are secured; and for having 
established schools among us, and other means 
of public instruction, whereby our capacity for 
enjoyment is enlarged, and we are enabled 
better to defend our civil and social privileges: 
and among the innumerable favors which we 
have received from his bountiful providence 
during the past year, let us particularly thank 
him for healthful and fruitful seasons, for the 
growing spirit of laudable enterprise and diver- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 75 

sified industry, and for his remarkable interpo¬ 
sition in staying the desolating moral pestilence 
of intemperate drinking. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and affixed the privy seal of 
[l. s.] the State, this twentieth day of October, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-one. 

ENOS T. THROOP. 


76 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Enos T. Throop, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

"\\r hereas it is our duty, publicly and with 
* * reverence and gratitude, to acknowledge 
our dependence upon Almighty God, the Ex¬ 
haustless Fountain of love and benevolence. 
And whereas usage has indicated the festive 
season of ingathering, when our garners are 
filled with the fruits of the earth, and our 
hearts with joy and thankfulness, as the proper 
time to present to him a thank offering and a 
feast offering, and to serve him with gladness, 
and to come into his presence with a song— 
I do therefore appoint and set apart Thursday, 
the thirteenth day of December next, and re¬ 
commend its observance by the people of this 
State, in the accustomed Religious Solemnities, 
Festivities and Thanksgiving. On that day, 
while a sense of piety shall direct the exuber¬ 
ance of feeling into consecrated channels, let 
us sacrifice our animosities at the altar and the 
festive board, and as a united people, thank 
our Heavenly Father for the innumerable bless¬ 
ings which he has been pleased to bestow upon 
us; and especially for the abundance which 
has crowned the labors of the husbandman for 


THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 


77 


the past year; for our civil and religious insti¬ 
tutions, so constituted as to exempt us from the 
evils of tyranny; anarchy and intolerance; for 
our peaceful and growing commerce ; for the 
multiplication of productive industry ; for the 
increase of the means of intellectual and moral 
instruction; and while we acknowledge his 
chastening hand in the pestilence which re¬ 
cently abode with us for a season, in its march 
throughout the world, let us acknowledge with 
gratitude his goodness for having now removed 
it beyond our borders, and for the blessings 
which he mingled in this cup of afflictions. 
And in our aspirations, let us beseech him to 
banish from among us, superstition, contention, 
ignorance and ill will, and hasten that day 
which we hope is within the plan of his provi¬ 
dence, and now dawns upon us, when the 
human understanding shall be so enlarged, and 
the passions of men so chastened, that war 
shall cease ; that civil institutions, founded on 
the principles of equality, shall be adopted by 
all nations; and that the love of man for his 
fellow creature, shall be manifested in deeds 
of kindness and benevolence. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand, and affixed the privy seal of 
[l. s.] the State, this fifteenth day of November, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-two. 

ENOS T. THROOP. 


78 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

TYuring the present year, the Beneficent Ruler 
“*-^of the Universe has been pleased to dis¬ 
pense in a liberal manner his bounties and his 
blessings to the people of this State. Peace 
and tranquillity have prevailed throughout its 
whole extent; our free institutions securing to 
us the full enjoyment of our civil rights, and 
religious privileges are unimpared; our estab¬ 
lishments for education continue to dispense 
their treasures of knowledge to the rising gene¬ 
ration ; our harvests have been unusually abun¬ 
dant, and industry, in all the diversified pur¬ 
suits of our citizens, has been bountifully 
rewarded. While many other parts of our 
common country have been afflicted with a 
most destructive pestilence, the inhabitants of 
this State have been exempted by a kind Pro¬ 
vidence from its visitation, and signally blessed 
with an unwonted degree of health. Enter¬ 
taining sentiments becoming a moral and re¬ 
ligious people, it is our sacred and solemn duty 
to express, in a public manner, the homage 
and gratitude due to our Divine Benefactor, for 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 79 

the manifold favors he has been pleased to 
bestow upon us. 

I do, therefore, in conformity to usage, most 
respectfully recommend Thursday, the fifth 
day of December next, to be observed as a day 
of Public Prayer and Thanksgiving by the peo¬ 
ple of this State. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal 
of the State, at Albany, this twenty- 
[l. s.] eighth day of October, one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-three. 

WILLIAM L. MARCY. 


80 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

TT^or the purpose of rendering devout acknow- 
ledgments unto the Ruler of Nations, for the 
dispensation of his numerous favors, vouchsafed 
to the people of this State during the past season, 
I do hereby, in compliance with established 
usage, recommend Thursday, the eleventh day 
of December next, to be observed by them 
as a day of Public Thanksgiving. 

In witness whereof, I have subscribed my 
name, and affixed the privy seal of the 
[l. s.] State, this twenty-seventh day of Octo¬ 
ber, one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-four. 


WILLIAM L. MARCY. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


81 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

PT^he people of this State, throughout the whole 

period of their existence, as a political 
community, have been in a special manner the 
object of divine favor. The same Almighty 
Arm which protected and sustained our fore¬ 
fathers, has also been our shield of defence ; the 
same Bountiful Hand which administered tem¬ 
poral and spiritual blessings to them, has been 
more abundant in good gifts to us. In the dis¬ 
pensations of Divine Providence towards us 
during the past year, we have been mercifully 
exempted from all those calamities by which 
nations are frequently visited ; peace and con¬ 
tentment have prevailed among us; we have 
been favored with a season of health and plenty; 
our civil and religious rights have been enjoyed 
without molestation; moral and intellectual 
improvement has rapidly advanced ; the spirit 
of enterprise has been active in multiplying the 
means of social happiness, and industry, in all 
its various branches, has received appropriate 
rewards. All things essential to our prosperity 
have been graciously offered for our accept¬ 
ance. Surrounded as we are, by numerous 


82 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


and signal manifestations of divine goodness 
towards us, as individuals, and in our social 
and political relations, it behoves us to render 
to our Beneficent Benefactor, the tribute of our 
love and gratitude. 

I do, therefore, in conformity to established 
usage, appoint Thursday, the tenth day of De¬ 
cember next, as a day of Public Thanksgiving, 
and recommend that it be observed as such, 
throughout the State, with due solemnities. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal 
of the State, at Albany, this thirty-first 
[l. s.] day of October, one thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and thirty-five. 

WILLIAM L. MABCY. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


83 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

Tt has pleased the Sovereign Ruler of the Uni- 
verse, to dispense to the people of this State? 
during the past season, his blessings and his 
bounties in rich abundance; and it is their 
reasonable duty to render to him the tribute of 
gratitude and thankfulness, for his kind and 
gracious dealings with them, as individuals, 
and in their social and civil relations. 

I do, therefore, in conformity with established 
usage, designate Thursday, the fifteenth day of 
December next, as a day of Public Thanksgiv¬ 
ing, and do recommend its due observance as 
such, throughout this State. 

. In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, this fifth day of Novem¬ 
ber, one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-six. 


WILLIAM L. MARCY. 


84 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

TYuring the past season, the Sovereign Ruler 
of Nations, has liberally dispensed his be¬ 
nefactions to the people of this State. Together 
with the full enjoyment of the rights of con¬ 
science, with public tranquillity and the in¬ 
crease and diffusion of knowledge, they con¬ 
tinue to be blessed with civil institutions, 
admirably calculated to secure in the highest 
degree their social happiness and the benefits 
of a Free Government. The dealings of Divine 
Providence, as individuals and as a political 
community, have been in other respects dis¬ 
tinguished by kindness and liberality. We 
have been mercifully exempted from those 
calamities which are frequently permitted to 
afflict nations; we have enjoyed an unusual 
degree of public health, and been favored with 
a fruitful season and plenteous harvests. If in 
the midst of this liberal ministration to our 
necessities and comforts, by our Beneficent 
Creator, our hearts are not fully satisfied, then, 
indeed, have our inordinate desires turned us 
from the path of duty and happiness, and the 
chidings of his Providence, by reproving our too 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


85 


eager passion for gain, repressing our extrava¬ 
gance, and teaching us salutary lessons of 
humility, moderation and wisdom, are, if right¬ 
fully considered, but the merciful manifesta¬ 
tions of his paternal goodness. 

In view of the numerous favors and blessings 
with which the past year has been crowned, 
our thoughts should naturally he directed to 
our Munificent Benefactor, and our hearts 
moved to expressions of gratitude and thank¬ 
fulness. 

I do, therefore, in conformity to established 
usage, appoint Thursday, the thirtieth No¬ 
vember next, as a day of Public Thanksgiving, 
and respectfully recommend its due observance 
as such, by the good people of this State. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal 
of the State, at Albany, this thirtieth 
[l. s.] day of October, one thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and thirty-seven. 

WILLIAM L. MABCY. 


86 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William L. Marcy, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

rF’o acknowledge the bounties of the Giver 

of All Good, and to cherish grateful recol¬ 
lections of his beneficence, is eminently worthy 
of an intelligent and highly favored people. 
Whether we contemplate our condition with 
reference to the number and magnitude of the 
benefits we have received, or in contrast with 
less favored portions of the earth, we find 
abundant reasons for devout thankfulness to 
the Sovereign Arbiter of Nations. In an es¬ 
pecial manner are we furnished with persuasive 
motives to gratitude in his providential dealings 
with us during the past season. Our fields 
have been fertilized by the early and the latter 
rains, the toils of the husbandman have been 
rewarded with plentiful harvests: our habita¬ 
tions have been preserved in peace, and our 
families have been protected from the pestilence 
that walketh in darkness and the destruction 
that wasteth at noon-day; the clouds, which 
for a time gathered gloomilyover us, have passed 
away, and we are again restored to individual 
and national prosperity; we still continue in the 
full enjoyment of those civil, social and re- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 87 

ligious rights and privileges which so highly 
distinguish us as a people. 

I do therefore in conformity to established 
usage designate Thursday, the twenty ninth 
day of November inst., to he observed as a day 
of Public Thanksgiving, and to recommend to 
the good people of the state to unite in offering 
the tribute of grateful hearts to their Divine 
Benefactor, for the numerous blessings which 
he has mercifully vouchsafed to them during 
the past year. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal of 
the State the fifth day of November, in 
[l. s.] the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty-eight. 

W. L. MARCY. 


88 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William H. Seward, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

’'OTThereas the Executive Authority of this 
* " State has been accustomed, with the con¬ 
sent of the people, to designate a day for the 
annual offerings of Thanksgiving and Prayer. 

And whereas, Almighty God hath not with¬ 
drawn from us the protection and beneficence 
extended to our forefathers, but hath remem¬ 
bered us in mercy during the past year; hath 
sent us abundant harvests, to reward the labors 
of the husbandman and supply the wants of 
the poor; hath averted from us the calamities 
of war and pestilence; hath suffered us to 
maintain and more firmly establish republican 
institutions, securing a larger measure of civil 
and religious liberty, social tranquillity and do¬ 
mestic happiness, than has ever before been 
enjoyed by any people ; hath crowned with good 
success the means which have been employed 
by the State, by associations and by individu- 
als, for the development of the abounding 
resources of our country, the relief of the unfor¬ 
tunate, the reformation of the vicious, the im¬ 
provement of education, the cultivation of 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 89 

science, the perfection of the arts, and the 
maintenance of the Christian religion. 

Now, therefore, in pursuance of said custom, 
I do hereby appoint Thursday, the twenty-eighth 
day of November next, to be observed through¬ 
out this State, as a day of Public Worship, 
Thanksgiving and Prayer. I recommend to 
my fellow citizens, that they abstain on that 
day from all secular employments, inconsist¬ 
ent with a right and acceptable discharge of 
these solemn services; that they assemble in 
their usual places of public worship, and there, 
in the forms and manner approved by their con¬ 
sciences, offer their humble and grateful ac¬ 
knowledgments to the God of the Universe, 
celebrate his praise, invoke his continued pro¬ 
tection and favor, and implore his guidance in 
the ways of wisdom and virtue; well knowing 
that his Providence is as impartial as it is bene¬ 
ficent. Let us also beseech him to deliver the 
oppressed throughout the world, and vouchsafe 
to all mankind the privileges of civil and reli¬ 
gious liberty, and the knowledge, influences and 
blessed hopes of the gospel of his Son our Savior. 

In testimony wherereof, I have caused 
the privy seal of the State to be hereun¬ 
to affixed, at the city of Albany, on the 
[l. s.] twenty-second day of October, in the 
year of our Lord 1839, and of American 
Indepence the sixty-fourth. 

WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 


90 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William H. Seward, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

od has been pleased to preserve our lives 
during another year, and to bless our land 
and make it very plenteous. Health, peace 
and liberty have dwelt among us, and religion 
has ministered her divine councils and consola¬ 
tions. No danger has menaced us from abroad, 
nor has the alarm of intestine commotion or 
tumult disturbed the quiet of our dwellings. 
The clouds have not withheld from the earth 
their timely rain, nor the sun its genial heat. 
The plow has not been stayed in the furrow, 
nor has blight or mildew diminished the abun¬ 
dant harvest. We have exhibited to the world 
the sublime spectacle, of millions of freemen 
carefully discussing the measures and policy 
which concern their welfare, and peacefully 
committing the precious trust of their interests 
and hopes to the care of their chosen magis¬ 
trates. While our confidence in the stability 
of republican institutions is thus strengthened, 
their benign operation has been manifested in 
the sway of mild and equal laws, the enjoy¬ 
ment of equal privileges by all classes of citi¬ 
zens, the security of personal rights, and the 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


91 


intellectual and moral improvement of so¬ 
ciety. 

In remembrance of these signal and mani¬ 
fold blessings and privileges, it becomes us to 
lift up our hearts, and ascribe all the power and 
glory to Him who looketh down from heaven 
and considereth all them that dwell upon the 
earth. I do, therefore, in pursuance to a cus¬ 
tom sanctioned by the people, set apart and 
appoint Thursday, the seventeenth day of De¬ 
cember next, to be observed throughout this 
State, as a day for the usual offerings of Praise, 
Thanksgiving and Prayer. I respectfully re¬ 
commend to my fellow citizens, to abstain 
from all secular occupations on that day, and 
gather themselves in their solemn assemblies, 
to render to our Heavenly Father the homage 
of hearts softened and warmed by his unbound¬ 
ed goodness; to commit to his tender care, the 
poor, the neglected and the oppressed and to 
supplicate a continuance of his favor to this 
people throughout all generations. However 
we may be separated by opinions or associa¬ 
tions, all the citizens of the Republic have 
equal political rights, and have the same mo¬ 
tives to desire its peace, happiness and per¬ 
petual prosperity. The church of the living 
God is one, and embraces all those who in 
humility of spirit receive his holy faith, and 
through divine aid, seek to keep his command¬ 
ments. Let us, therefore, in perfect harmony 


92 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

and charity, one with another, as patriots and 
Christians, implore him to sustain and bless 
all our civil and religious institutions, and to 
dispense to us abundantly that heavenly grace, 
which, with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
leads through the ways of virtue, here, to the 
blessed society of the redeemed in his everlast¬ 
ing kingdom. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal 
of the State, at the city of Albany, this 
[l. s.] ninth day of November, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and forty. 


WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


93 


PROCLAMATION 

By William H. Seward, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

Tn the year which is about to close, Divine 
Providence hath been pleased, as in former 
years, to vouchsafe to the inhabitants of this 
State, the various fruits of the earth in their 
proper seasons—health, security and tran¬ 
quillity—prosperous commerce and peaceful re¬ 
lations with foreign countries—freedom of con¬ 
science—religious instruction and consolation; 
moral, social and intellectual improvement-— 
and laws established and administered by re¬ 
presentatives chosen by the people. 

I do, therefore, appoint Thursday, the ninth 
day of December next, to be set apart for the 
customary annual offerings of Public Thanks¬ 
giving and Praise to Almighty God, for all his 
mercies and blessings; and I recommend that 
the occasion be observed throughout the Com¬ 
monwealth, with the humility, devotion and 
gratitude which become a free and favored 
Christian people. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused the privy seal of 
the said State to be annexed, at the city 
[l. s.] of Albany, this 25th day of October, 
1811, and of American Independence the 
sixty-sixth. 

WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 


94 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William H. Seward, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

JTHhursday, the eighth day of December next, 
is hereby appointed to he observed by the 
people of this State, as a day of Public Thanks¬ 
giving and Praise to Almighty God, for the 
manifold blessings of the year. We have tilled 
the earth in safety and gathered plentiful har¬ 
vests ; relieved labor by inventions of art and 
new applications of science; brought to suc¬ 
cessful termination works of physical improve¬ 
ment, designed to promote social intercourse, 
and to guard against accidents to human life 
and augment its enjoyments; rendered our 
system of intellectual and moral instruction 
more equal and efficient, and acquired com¬ 
prehensive knowledge of the agricultural, for¬ 
est and mineral resources, which Providence 
has supplied within the territory assigned for 
our habitation. The savage warfare, which so 
long prevailed on the southern border of our 
country, scarcely less painful to humanity, 
whether our arms were victorious or unsuc¬ 
cessful against a rude and injured people, has 
ceased/* Commotions which threatened to in¬ 
volve a sister State, and even the whole Ameri- 

* The Indian war in Flo- as closed, August 14, 1842. 
rida was officially announced 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


95 


can family, in the calamities of civil war, and 
thus repress the growing confidence of mankind 
in their capacity for self-government, have 
peacefully subsided and our controversies 
with a distinguished European nation, have 
been adjusted by a treaty,f securing reciprocal 
advantages, and directing the efforts of both 
States to the removal of a great reproach of 
Christendom, by the extirpation of the slave 
trade. Philanthropy has not abated her zeal 
within our borders while extending her visita¬ 
tions to distant regions, and the labors of philo¬ 
sophy throughout the civilized world, have 
been crowned with discoveries tending to ame¬ 
liorate human life, and elevate the dignity of 
mankind. 

Let us reverently acknowledge, that these 
and all the blessings that we enjoy, descend 
from Him, by whom the nations of the earth 
are governed in righteousness, and all human 
affairs are regulated and controlled with infi¬ 
nite wisdom and mercy. 

Given under my hand and the privy seal 
of the State, at the city of Albany, this 
[l. s.] 17th day of November, in the year of our. 
Lord 1842, and in the sixty-seventh year 
of American Independence. 

WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 

* Alluding to the Rhode f The treaty with England 
Island controversy. of this year, was ratified 

August 20, 1842. 


96 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William C. Bouck, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

Xn obedience to that high sense of gratitude 
due the Almighty Ruler of the Universe, I 
do hereby designate Thursday, the 14th day of 
December next, to be observed by the people 
of this State as a day of Prayer, Praise and 
Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the numer¬ 
ous and unmerited blessings of the year. 

I feel assured that this act of public duty is 
in accordance with the wishes of the people, 
and will meet with universal acquiescence. 

As a people, we have great reason to be 
thankful, and to praise the Almighty Dispenser 
of all Good, for the continued smiles of his 
providence on our State and Nation. 

During the past year we have been permitted 
to enjoy our religious and political privileges 
unmolested. We have been exempt from those 
ravages of malignant diseases, which sometimes 
afflict a people. The season has been highly 
propitious, and seldom has the harvest been 
more abundant. As a crowning blessing, the 
Spirit of the Lord has revived the hearts of 
Christians, and brought to saving knowledge 
many who knew not God. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 97 

For the distinguished blessings we have en¬ 
joyed, we should raise our hearts in humble 
adoration to our Father in Heaven: thereby 
presenting to the world the imposing spectacle 
of the entire population of a great State abstain¬ 
ing from all secular engagements on the day 
designated, and devoting themselves to the 
service of the Almighty. We should always 
remember that “ righteousness exalteth a 
nation.” 

Given under my hand, and the privy seal of 
the State, at the city of Albany, this tenth 
[l. s.] day of November, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
forty-three. 

WM. C. BOUCK. 


13 


98 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William C. Bouck, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

nother year has nearly drawn to a close, 



and surrounded as we are by the unnum¬ 
bered blessings of God’s Providence and Grace, 
nothing can be more becoming and proper than 
to lay aside all secular engagements, and de¬ 
vote at least one day of the many we are 
allowed to call our own, to devout Thanksgiv¬ 
ing and Praise to the Author of the constant 
and unmerited mercies we, as a people, are 
permitted to enjoy. 

I do, therefore, most cordially recommend, 
that Thursday, the twelfth day of December 
next, be observed throughout the State, as a 
day of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving to our 
great Father in Heaven, our gracious Benefac¬ 
tor and Friend. 

By his merciful Providence, we have been 
permitted to enjoy the comforts of life, and our 
religious, social and political privileges have 
been continued to us. During the past year 
we have been exempt from the ravages of ma¬ 
lignant disease, and the earth has yielded her 
increase; a growing prosperity has been felt in 
all the business relations of life, and the blessed 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


99 


gospel has been gradually but surely extending 
its benign influence. Actuated by its diffusive 
benevolence, Christian missionaries have not 
only labored among the waste and desolate 
places at home, but have gone forth to proclaim 
“ Christ and him crucified” to the dark and 
benighted regions of the earth ; education, in 
all its departments, is diffusing an increase of 
knowledge among all classes of the community; 
temperance, the handmaid of religion, is mak¬ 
ing deeper and wider impressions, and sending 
joy and comfort into many desolate households, 
while peace and prosperity are dwelling in our 
midst. 

Let us, then, as one people, on the day de¬ 
signated, lay aside the care and ordinary busi¬ 
ness of life, and give thanks unto God. And 
with our Thanksgiving, let us mingle our 
Prayers for a continuance of the numerous 
blessings we enjoy, and especially that there 
may be an outpouring of the Spirit of God, to 
revive pure and undefiled religion among us— 
the best security of our civil and political insti¬ 
tutions. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto af¬ 
fixed my name and the privy seal of the 
[l. s.] State, this eighth day of November, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-four. 

WILLIAM C. BOUCK. 


100 THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Silas Wright, Governor of the State of 
New York. 

\ usage which has the approbation of a 
quarter of a century, calls upon me, at this 
period of the year, to name a day to be observed 
by the People of this State, as a day of Public 
Thanksgiving. The uniformity in the time 
heretofore designated, throughout the period 
referred to, induces me to name Thursday, the 
fourth day of December next, as the Thanks¬ 
giving day for this State for the present year. 

Life and health are enduring causes for 
thankfulness to the Father of Life and the 
Fountain of Health, from all the living. 

Free, civil institutions, based upon the true 
principles of popular sovereignty, and extend¬ 
ing to every individual equal personal liberty, 
and to all the largest measure of that liberty 
consistent with that peace and order and per¬ 
sonal security, present a cause for devout thank¬ 
fulness to the Ruler of Nations, from every 
people who enjoy these blessings. 

The plentiful fruits of the earth, which in 
our State and Country furnish an abundance 
for the wants of all, call for daily thankfulness, 
and render it peculiarly appropriate, that an- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 101 


nually, as these fruits are yielded, a Christian 
people should unite in a tribute of Thanksgiv¬ 
ing to Him, who tempers the seasons, and 
blesses the earth and makes it fruitful. 

In addition to these universal causes for 
thankfulness, if each individual will summon 
up the recollection of the almost innumerable 
personal and social blessings which the year 
has brought with it, all the people of this State 
will be willing, with one heart, to set apart one 
day, for the united expression of their thanks, 
for the many and signal blessings of this year, 
abundantly bestowed upon them and their 
country by the Great Author of every temporal 
and spiritual blessing. 

I respectfully recommend the day I have 
named, to be thus set apart for this grateful 
service and duty, and that the people of the 
State suspend their business avocations, and 
assemble in their usual places of religious wor¬ 
ship, that the temples which have resounded 
with supplications for the year, may echo back 
Thanksgiving to Him who has so bountifully 
responded to our petitions, and so paternally 
provided for our necessities. 

Exercises, such as these, entered into in the 
spirit and with the feelings which these con¬ 
siderations should excite, can not fail to turn 
the mind to the lively remembrance of the im¬ 
measurably greater blessings of the redemption 
through a Savior, and the revelation to fallen 


102 THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 

man of the way of salvation; blessings for 
which the human heart can never be suffi¬ 
ciently thankful. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto af¬ 
fixed the privy seal of the State. Wit¬ 
ness my hand at the city of Albany, this 
[l. s.] fifth day of November, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
forty-five. 


SILAS WRIGHT. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 103 


PROCLAMATION 

By Silas Wright, Governor of the State. 

rriHE year eighteen hundred and forty-six draws 
to a close. Its seasons have heen uncom¬ 
monly propitious, and its harvests are realized. 
Unusual health has blessed our State and 
Country, and the teeming earth has yielded its 
abundance to supply our necessities and minis¬ 
ter to our comforts. 

The wave of passion, which, during the past 
year, rolled over some of our counties, has sub¬ 
sided, and internal peace is restored to our citi¬ 
zens and tranquillity to our firesides.* 

The most sublime spectacle connected with 
civil government is now exhibiting before us. 
The representatives of the sovereignty of our 
people, assembled to take in pieces and recon¬ 
struct the frame work of the State Government, 
have discharged the high trust, and returned to 


* Referring to the Anti¬ 
rent excitement in several of 
the counties, and the combina¬ 
tion of armed men in disguise, 
to resist civil process. The 
murder of Deputy Sheriff 
Steele, in Delaware county, 
which occured in August, 
was followed by a Proclama¬ 


tion of the Governor, declar¬ 
ing the county in a state of 
insurrection. A military 
force was called out, and for 
a time, a civil war appeared 
inevitable, but the supre¬ 
macy of the law was ulti¬ 
mately asserted without 
further effusion of blood. 


104 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


their constituents and to their private duties, 
without having excited passion, alarm or ap¬ 
prehension in the community ; and our freemen 
are examining their labors, and preparing to 
pass a verdict of approbation or rejection upon 
their work, with a vigilance inspired by a per¬ 
vading patriotism, and with a calmness and 
confidence which free institutions can alone 
impart.* Not an individual in the State appre¬ 
hends an encroachment upon his just rights, 
or an abridgment of his civil and religious pri¬ 
vileges, from this peaceful and voluntary revo¬ 
lution of his government. Stronger evidences 
of high intelligence and sound morality in a 
people can not be afforded. 

These, and innumerable other temporal bless¬ 
ings of a kindred character, constantly flowing 
upon our State and its citizens, call for con¬ 
tinued thankfulness to the Bountiful Giver of 
every blessing. 

The gift of a Savior, and the full light of 
divine revelation, are spiritual blessings, which 
should awaken to expressions of devout thank¬ 
fulness the hearts and the voices of a Christian 
people. 

I respectfully recommend Thursday, the 
twenty-sixth day of November next, to be ob- 

* The Constitutional Con- constitution was adopted, 
vention of this year, assem- November 3, 1846, by a vote 
bled June 1st, and adjourned of 221,528 to 92,436. 

October 9th. The amended 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


105 


served as a day of Public Thanksgiving; that 
the people of the State, abstaining from their 
ordinary business avocations, may assemble at 
their usual places of religious worship, and 
uniting with each other, and with their fellow 
citizens of many of the other States, may pay 
their tribute of thanks to the Author of these 
and all temporal and spiritual good gifts ; and 
may pour out their hearts in Prayer to him, 
that his rich smiles may be continued to our 
country, and that the signal blessings of this 
year may be crowned by the termination of our 
existing wars, in an honorable and just peace. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the 
privy seal of the State to be hereunto 
affixed. Witness my hand at the city 
[l. s.] of Albany, the nineteenth day of Octo¬ 
ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and forty-six. 

SILAS WRIGHT. 

By order. 

Horace Moody, Private Secretary. 


14 


106 THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By John Young, Governor of the State of 
New York. 

A day of Public Thanksgiving is due to Al- 
mighty God for blessings bestowed upon 
the People of this State during the past year. 

While a sanguinary war has been raging 
upon our national frontier—while the principal 
city of a sister state, has been scourged with a 
pestilence that walketh at noon-day,* and while 
gaunt famine and disease afflict the fairest por¬ 
tion of the mother country,f the State of New 
York presents a gladsome picture of universal 
happiness and prosperity. Seed time and har¬ 
vest have been continued to the husbandman— 
the laborer and the artisan have not sought in 
vain for employment—the ships of the merchant 
have traded in peace with the nations of the 
earth, and plenty has crowned the efforts of all 
classes of society. 

The blessing of free government—the means 
of universal education—the security of person 
and property, and the supremacy of law and 

* The yellow fever prevail- this year, from the failure of 
ed in New Orleans this year, the potato crop, enlisted the 
sympathies and aid of our 

f The famine in Ireland of citizens generally. 


THANKSGIVING PBOCLAMATIONS. 107 

order, have been vouchsafed to us in an eminent 
degree. 

For all these, and for other good gifts, we are 
indebted to that Providence whose bounty and 
protection are conferred upon all, without re¬ 
gard to country or condition. 

I therefore respectfully recommend to the 
People of this State, to observe the twenty-fifth 
day of November next, as a day of Public 
Thanksgiving; to abstain on that day from 
their usual avocations, and mingle, with their 
Thanksgivings, Prayers to Heaven for the con¬ 
tinuance of its smiles, and for its protection 
against famine, diseases and crime. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the 
privy seal of the State to be hereunto 
affixed. Witness my hand, at the city 
[l. s.] of Albany, this eighth day of October, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-seven. 

JOHN YOUNG. 


108 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By John Young, Governor of the State of 
New York. 


rpHE year which will soon he added to the 
past, has been to the People of this State 
eminently auspicious. Plenty has crowned our 
harvests—labor has been justly rewarded, and 
everything around us evidences a healthy and 
enduring prosperty. War, with all its attend¬ 
ant evils has passed away, and Peace as 
honorable as welcome, has been restored.* The 
means of education, and all the advantages of 
intellectual progression have been enjoyed by 
us in an eminent degree; and the future is full 
of hope and promise. 

As a Christian people, we are admonished 
that these blessings are the gift of a Beneficent 
God, and while we thus rejoice in his bounty, 
we should not forget the homage due from 
grateful hearts. 

I, therefore, respectfully recommend to the 
People of this State, to set apart Thursday, the 
twenty-third day of November next, to be ob¬ 
served as a day of Public Thanksgiving to Al- 

* Peace with Mexico was claimed by the President, 
settled by the treaty of Que- July 4th, 1848. 
retaro, May 80th, and pro- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 109 

mighty God; and that with such Thanksgiving 
be mingled Prayers to Him who holds in his 
hands the destinies of nations, for the continu¬ 
ance of those blessings, which have been and 
still are so abundantly showered upon us. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the 
privy seal of the State to be hereunto 
affixed. Witness my hand, at the city 
[l. s.] of Albany, this twenty-eighth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred forty-eight. 

JOHN YOUNG. 


110 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS, 


PROCLAMATION 


By Hamilton Fish, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

sense of gratitude to Almighty God for his 



numerous manifestations of goodness 
during the past year, calls for a public expres¬ 
sion of thanks from a people who have experi¬ 
enced the full measures of blessings which have 
been extended to us. 

Peace and quiet have reigned throughout 
our land. The labors of the husbandman have 
been rewarded in the returns of the earth. In¬ 
dustry has pursued its accustomed walks in all 
its varied employments, and its votaries have 
enjoyed honest and well earned rewards. Civil 
and religious liberty continue to be vouchsafed 
to all within our borders—and the blessings of 
the gospel are extended to all who desire to 
enjoy its comforts and its consolations. A few 
weeks since the whole nation in humble de¬ 
pendence, united in earnest prayer to Almighty 
God to withdraw the grievous pestilence which 
was ravaging the land; that visitation having 
passed, and the blessings of public health restor¬ 
ed, it becomes a grateful and Christian people to 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. Ill 

acknowledge these mercies and to render thanks 
to their Bountiful Giver.* 

I do therefore designate Thursday, the twenty- 
ninth day of November, instant, and do repom- 
mend its observance by the People of this State 
as a day of Public Thanksgiving to Almighty 
God. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed 
my name, and affixed the privy seal of 
[l. s.] the State, at the city of Albany, this first 
day of November, one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-nine. 

HAMILTON FISH. 

* The cholera appeared in very fatal at St. Louis, Gin- 
New Orleans in the fall of cinnati, and other western 

1848, and up to January 8, cities; and in New York, Phi- 

1849, 1189 deaths had oc- ladelphia, and other cities in 
curred. It again appeared the north. President Tyler 
in March, and from the third issued a Proclamation for a 
of that month to the 28th of National Fast, to be held on 
April, 1071 died. It was also the first Friday in August. 


112 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Hamilton Fish, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

nr^HE mercies of All-kind Providence call for 
an acknowledgment of gratitude and de¬ 
pendence from the creatures of his bounties. 

The year which is about to close has been 
marked by innumerable blessings to us as a 
nation. An abundant harvest and profitable 
labor has brought rich rewards to honest in¬ 
dustry. Peace and tranquillity are established 
at home; and no discord disturbs our relations 
abroad. Health, prosperity and abundance 
have been freely vouchsafed to us. Civil and 
religious liberty prevail throughout the length 
and breadth of the land. And to all is secured 
the free exercise of the worship of their Creator 
according to their own faith. And on this oc¬ 
casion we should not forget that while an In¬ 
scrutable Providence has seen fit to remove 
during the past year the Chief Magistrate of our 
Union,* that same Providence has preserved us 
under the trial, a free and an united people, has 
saved us from anarchy or civil commotion, and 
has continued to us the mild operation of a 

* President Zachary Tay- lor died July 9, 1850. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 113 

government of our own adoption, and rulers 
of own choice. 

I do, therefore, designate and recommend 
Thursday, the twelfth day of December next, 
to he observed by the good people of this State 
as a day of Public Thanksgiving to Almighty 
God. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this thirty-first day of October, one thou¬ 
sand eight hundred and fifty. 

HAMILTON FISH. 


114 THANKSGIVING PK0CL AMATI0NS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Washington Hunt, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

FTHhe goodness of Almighty God has been sig- 
nally manifested towards the People of this 
State during the present year. 

The blessings of liberty, national tranquillity 
and public health, have been enjoyed without 
interruption. The fruits of the earth, in over¬ 
flowing abundance, have rewarded the labors 
of the husbandman ; public improvements have 
been advanced; the truths of knowledge and 
religion more widely diffused, and our repub¬ 
lican institutions preserved and strengthened. 

A just sense of these beneficent dispensations, 
should inspire universal gratitude towards our 
Divine Benefactor, and call forth appropriate 
demonstrations of homage and adoration. 

Therefore, in compliance with usage, I re¬ 
spectfully recommend to the People of this 
State, the observance of Thursday, the twenty- 
seventh day of November next, as a day of 
Prayer, Thanksgiving and Praise. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto af¬ 
fixed my hand and the privy seal of the 
State, this sixteenth day of October, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-one. 

WASHINGTON HUNT. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 115 


PROCLAMATION 

By Washington Hunt, Governor of the 
State of New York. 

rj^HE varied blessings enjoyed by the People of 
this State, during the past year, call forth 
the grateful tribute of praise and devotion due 
to our Heavenly Father. 

An abundant harvest crowning the labors of 
the husbandman, and filling the land with 
plenty ; peace with all nations; the mainte¬ 
nance of social order and free institutions, im¬ 
parting fresh vigor to the cause of civil liberty; 
the diffusion of religion and learning; the gene¬ 
ral prevalance of health; the merciful deliver¬ 
ance of the towns and cities, which were visited 
for a season by the destroying pestilence,* and 
the innumerable benefits which have been 
conferred upon our Commonwealth, proclaim 
the infinite goodness and protecting care of the 
Creator and Supreme Ruler of the Univese. 

In compliance with established usage, I re¬ 
spectfully recommend to the people of this 
State, the observance of Thursday, the twenty- 
fifth day of November next, as a day of Prayer 
and Thanksgiving. 

* Cholera appeared in se- occurred in the city of New 
veral parts of the State in York, 
this year, and 314 fatal cases 


116 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed 
my name and affixed the privy seal of 
the State, at the city of Albany, this 
[l. s.] sixteenth day of October, in the year of 
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-two. 


WASHINGTON HUNT. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 117 


PROCLAMATION 

By Horatio Seymour, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

T hereby appoint Thursday, the twenty-fourth 
instant, as a day of Thanksgiving for 
the People of the State of New York. I 
recommend its observance by such religious 
assemblages and forms of worship as our citi¬ 
zens may severally deem appropriate ; so that 
we may, as a commonwealth, with united 
hearts, humbly and gratefully render thanks to 
our Father in Heaven, for his benefits, and 
earnestly implore the continuance of his favor. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed by name and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this fifth day of November, one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-three. 

HORATIO SEYMOUR. 


118 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Horatio Seymour, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

A n acknowledgment of our dependence upon 
-^God, and of our obligations to him , is at all 
times the duty of a Christian people. But 
when the Almighty has again crowned the 
year with his goodness, and we are enjoying 
the gathered fruits of his bounty, it is eminently 
fitting that we should offer the sacrifice of 
Praise and Thanksgiving. 

I, therefore, appoint Thursday, the thirtieth 
day of November, for the appropriate service, 
and invite the Citizens of this State to assemble 
on that day in their respective places of wor¬ 
ship, to present their acknowledgments to the 
Parent of the Universe for his multiplied 
mercies, and with our Thanksgiving, let us 
mingle Prayers for a continuance of the nume¬ 
rous blessings, we, as a people, enjoy; remem¬ 
bering that his wisdom alone can rightly direct, 
his power support, and his goodness give 
strength and security. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name and atfixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this tenth day of November, one thou- 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four. 

HORATIO SEYMOUR. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 119 


PROCLAMATION 

By Myron H. Clark, Governor of the State 
of New York. 

rflHE Lord has been pleased to preserve our 
lives, and to deal graciously with us during 
another year. While sanguinary war has de¬ 
solated the soil and saddened the homes of 
Europe, peace has sat by our firesides, and 
plenty has walked in our fields. The earth, 
parched with no drought, and chilled by no 
unwonted frosts, has yielded her increase boun¬ 
teously. Pestilence, that has ravaged a neigh¬ 
boring coast, has been stayed at our threshold, 
and we have been enabled to minister to the 
wants and necessities of the suffering and af¬ 
flicted. The commercial, mechanical and va¬ 
rious pursuits of our citizens, have been crowned 
with usual success. Science and art have 
made liberal progress among us, and religion, 
unawed by power and unchecked by bigotry, 
has imparted her divine teachings and minis¬ 
tered her consolations. Our republican insti¬ 
tutions, with good and wholesome laws, have 
helped to lighten the burdens of our people, 
and to advance the moral and intellectual im¬ 
provement of society. 

In grateful remembrance of our manifold 


120 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

blessings, it becomes us to lift up our hearts to 
God, the Giver of all Good, who carefully con- 
sidereth all the dwellers upon the earth. I do, 
therefore, and in pursuance of established cus¬ 
tom, set apart and appoint Thursday, the 
twenty-ninth day of November next, to be ob¬ 
served throughout the State, as a day of Praise, 
Thanksgiving and Prayer; and I respectfully 
recommend to my fellow citizens, to abstain 
from all secular occupations on that day, to 
gather themselves in their assemblies and 
render to our Heavenly Father the homage of 
grateful hearts, remembering before him the 
poor, the neglected and the oppressed. Let us, 
as patriots and Christians, implore him to bless 
our civil and religious institutions ; and let us 
supplicate him to continue his favors to this 
people throughout all generations, and withal 
to dispense to us individually, that heavenly 
grace, which, with faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and virtuous action here, will prepare 
us for his heavenly kingdom. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name and affixed the privy 
[l. s.] seal of the State, at the city of Albany, 
this twenty-seventh day of October, one 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. 

MYRON H. CLARK. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 121 


PROCLAMATION 

By his Excellency Myron H. Clark, Go¬ 
vernor of the State of New York. 

HHhe year that is now drawing to a close, has 
been full of the mercies of our Heavenly 
Father. The Providence that dispenses the 
common blessings of life, has not withholden 
its bounties. Throughout the borders of our 
great and prosperous State, man has been pre¬ 
served in the enjoyment of life and health. A 
plenteous harvest has been gathered in, while 
pestilence has only looked upon us and de¬ 
parted.* Never has labor received rewards more 
cheering; no fear of famine ; no apprehension 
of industrial distress or commercial panic; no 
dread of impending social calamity mingles 
with our joy. Every department of honorable 
human culture has advanced. The arts that 
adorn a republican State have not languished. 
The love of freedom has burned with a brighter 
flame. Our political rights have remained safe 
in the care of an enlightened and order loving 
people. The public morals have not degene- 

* Upon Staten Island, Long Governors Island and in 
Island, in the vicinity of Fort New York city, 538 cases of 
Hamilton, Bay Ridge, Gowa- yellow fever occurred this 
nus, and South Brooklyn, on year. 

16 


122 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


rated ; and religion has not failed to cheer us by 
her consolations; to warn us by her solemn 
admonitions, and to inspire us by her eternal 
hopes. 

In view of this wonderful display of the good¬ 
ness of God, nothing can be more appropriate 
than a solemn act of Thanksgiving by the 
whole people. 

I do, therefore, and in pursuance of estab¬ 
lished custom, set apart and appoint Thursday, 
the twentieth day of November next, to be ob¬ 
served throughout the State, as a day of Public 
Thanksgiving and Praise. And I do respect¬ 
fully request all the people of this State to ab¬ 
stain on that day from their usual avocations; 
to assemble according to their religious cus¬ 
toms, and give thanks to Almighty God, the 
Giver of All Good. Let us implore him to smile 
upon our future and make us worthy of his 
bounties, and to protect and preserve those 
institutions which enable man to glorify God 
and to do his will upon earth. Let us especially 
thank him, that the great privilege of the 
American citizen, the untrammeled expression 
of opinion, the defence of truth and justice, and 
the denunciation of error and oppression is still 
ours. And while we pray for forgiveness of 
our sins, as citizens of the State, and subjects 
of the Divine Government, let us consecrate 
ourselves anew, on that day, to a religious life, 
which neglects no private or public obligation 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


123 


on earth, while it confides in the grace of God, 
for the hope of an immortal life in heaven. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed 
my name and affixed the privy seal of the 
State, at the city of Albany, this twenty- 
[l. s ] first day of October, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-six. 


MYEON H. CLAEK. 


124 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By his Excellency John A. King, Governor 
of the State of New York. 

A n humble sense of our dependence on Al- 
mighty God, for all the benefits and bless¬ 
ings we enjoy, renders it especially proper at 
this time, to return our thanks to the Great 
Giver of All Good for another year of plenteous 
harvests and general health. The promise that 
seed time and harvest shall never fail, has been 
most signally manifested during the past sea¬ 
son, while health and contentment have dwelt 
within our borders. For these gracious mani¬ 
festations of the power and goodness of God, I 
recommend the People of this State to assem¬ 
ble together, and to raise their united praise 
and thanks to him, in whose hands are the 
issues of life and death, that they have been 
permitted to witness and enjoy, during an¬ 
other year, the noble works of his hands—the 
fostering care of his goodness and mercy. To 
that end, and in accordance with the established 
usage, I hereby designate and appoint Thursday, 
the twenty-sixth day of November next, as a 
day of General Thanksgiving and Praise to Al¬ 
mighty God, our Heavenly Father ; and invite 
all to unite in so meet and right an acknow- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. * 125 

ledgment of his power and goodness, and of 
our own helplessness. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed 
my name and affixed the privy seal of 
the State, at the city of Albany, this 
[l. s.] seventeenth day of October, in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-seven. 


JOHN A. KINO. 


126 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By John A. King, Governor of the State of 
New York. 

A nother year of abundant harvests, of gene- 
ral health, contentment and tranquillity 
admonishes us of our first and constant duty, 
to render thanks and praise to Him, who is the 
Gracious Author and Giver of those needful be¬ 
nefits, and the manifold blessings we have been 
permitted to enjoy; and especially are we called 
upon to acknowledge the power and goodness 
of our Almighty Father, the Lord and Giver of 
Life, that we have been spared for another brief 
space to receive his merciful care ; to behold 
the wonderful works of his Providence, and to 
enjoy the advantages and security, which free¬ 
dom, the public schools and equal laws, have 
established for ourselves and for our posterity. 
To that end, therefore, and in accordance with 
the acknowledged usage, I hereby designate 
and appoint Thursday, the eighteenth day of 
November next, as a day of General Thanks¬ 
giving and Praise to Almighty God, and invite 
all to unite in so just an acknowledgment of 
his power and goodness, and of our dependence 
on his mercy and forbearance. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


127 


In witness whereof, I have hereunto af¬ 
fixed my name and the privy seal of the 
State, at the city of Albany, the eleventh 
[l. s.] day of October, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
eight. 


JOHN A. KING. 


128 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATIONS OF GOVERNORS 
FOR 1858. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Andrew B. Moore, Governor of the State 
of Alabama. 

Executive Department, > 
Montgomery, Ala., Oct. 26, 1858. ) 

”Y\7"hereas, it is becoming that a people which 
* ’ recognizes the existence of God, and ac¬ 
knowledges its dependence upon his will, 
should unite as a community in some public 
demonstration of its gratitude for the blessings 
he has conferred, and to invoke a continuance 
of his favor. 

Now therefore, I, Andrew B. Moore, Govern¬ 
or of the State of Alabama, do hereby desig¬ 
nate and appoint Thursday, the twenty-fifth 
day of November next, lor that purpose, and re¬ 
commend and request that the good people of 
this Commonwealth, of every religious persua¬ 
sion, should thereupon assemble at their re¬ 
spective places of worship, to return thanks to 
Almighty God for his manifold blessings; 



THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 129 

for the prosperity that has attended them in 
their daily vocations; for the peace and plenty 
which have prevailed among them, their gene¬ 
ral exemption from pestilence, and for the civil 
and religious liberty they possess; and that 
they should at the same time beseech him for 
their moral and intellectual advancement and 
material welfare, for their preservation from 
pestilence and famine, from internal broils and 
civil commotions of all kinds, from foreign and 
domestic war; that both the Federal and State 
Governments may be administered faithfully, 
with a view solely to the purposes of their es¬ 
tablishment ; that the hostile spirit which ex¬ 
ists towards them in a portion of the States 
with which they have been united in a com¬ 
mon government may abate and determine; 
but that should it continue and unfortunately 
progress until it shall become necessary for 
them to sever the bonds which now connect 
them, and resume the powers they have grant¬ 
ed, that they may be so guided by his wisdom 
and strengthened by his aid that finally they 
may “establish justice, insure domestic tran¬ 
quillity, provide for the common defence, pro¬ 
mote the general welfare, and secure the 
blessings of liberty to themselves and their 
posterity 

Given under my hand and the Great Seal 
of the State, affixed at Montgomery, this 
[l. s.] twenty-sixth day of October, Anno Do- 
17 


130 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


mini one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-eight, and of American Independ¬ 
ence the eighty-third year. 

ANDREW R MOORE, 

By the Governor. 

J. H, Weaver, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 131 


PROCLAMATION 

By Lot M. Morrill, Governor of the State 
of Maine. 

ith the advice of the Executive Council, 
^ * I appoint Thursday, the twenty-fifth day 
of November next, as a day of Public Thanks¬ 
giving and Praise. 

The continual bounties and manifold mercies 
of a Superintending and All-wise Providence, 
call for expressions of unfeigned gratitude and 
devout praise. The Infinite Father, eternal 
source of all good, hath crowned the year with 
abundance; let every heart glow with grateful 
love. A God of love, the fountain of all mer¬ 
cies, hath averted the causes of public distress; 
let all unite in songs of adoration. 

All nature proclaims the goodness and glory 
of God, maker of heaven and earth; how fit 
that his intelligent offspring should acknow¬ 
ledge him in Thanksgiving and Praise, as the 
author of all needful blessings, and their de¬ 
pendence on his forbearance and loving kind¬ 
ness. Especially doth it become us as a people 
to join in public celebration of the Divine Good¬ 
ness for the innumerable blessings vouchsafed 
at every period of our national existence; for 


132 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

succor in the struggle of our fathers for inde¬ 
pendence ; for guidance in laying the founda¬ 
tion of free institutions; for fostering care in 
their infancy; for preservation amid perils in¬ 
ternal and external, and for that paternal favor 
which has attended our country’s progress from 
weakness and dependence to prosperity and 
power; and to render thanks, moreover, to the 
Great Ruler of the earth, for the precious boon 
of civil and religious liberty; for the multiplied 
agencies of social and political amelioration, 
and the means of spiritual improvement. 

Given at the Council Chamber at Augusta, 
this fifteenth day of October, in the year 
[l. s.] of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-eight, and of the Independence 
of the United States the eighty-third. 

LOT M. MORRILL. 

By the Governor. 

Noah Smith, Jr., Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


133 


PROCLAMATION 

By William Haile, Governor of the State 
of New Hampshire. 

Tt has been customary for the Executive of 
the State to appoint and set apart one day 
from the ordinary industrial pursuits of life, to 
be observed as a day of Thanksgiving and 
Praise to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe 
for his continued goodness, and in token of our 
remembrance of the innumerable blessings con¬ 
ferred upon us as individuals, and upon our 
State. 

In conformity, therefore, with the time-honor¬ 
ed custom of our ancestors, and in unison with 
the general sentiment and wishes of the people, 
I do, with the advice and consent of the Coun¬ 
cil, appoint Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of 
November next, to be observed thoroughout the 
State as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise. 
And on that day I would invite the people of the 
State to assemble in their respective places of 
public worship, and with united hearts render 
sincere praise to our Creator and Benefactor, 
that we have been preserved for another year 
to receive and enjoy the blessings which he 
has so freely and bountifully conferred upon 


134 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


us. And while we are thankful for past favors 
so signally displayed, and while we invoke a 
continuance of the same, let us endeavor to 
manifest by our lives that we are truly mindful 
of Him who is the Author and Giver of all 
needful blessings. 

Given at the Council Chamber, in Con¬ 
cord, this twenty-ninth day of Septem¬ 
ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States the 
eighty-third. 

WILLIAM HAILE. 

By His Excellency the Governor, with ad¬ 
vice of Council. 

Thomas L. Tullock, Secretary of State, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


135 


PROCLAMATION 

By Elisha Dyer, Governor of the State of 
Rhode Island and Providence Planta¬ 
tions. 

Tn accordance with a “ time-honored custom,” 
and as required by law, I, Elisha Dyer, 
Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Pro¬ 
vidence Plantations, do issue this my Procla¬ 
mation, appointing Thursday, the twenty-fifth 
day of November next, as a day of Public 
Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God, for 
the innumerable blessings he has bestowed 
upon us, the people of this State, during the 
past year. 

The preservation of our lives; the absence of 
contagious disease ; the abundant harvest that 
has so richly rewarded the labors of the hus¬ 
bandman ; the unrestricted enjoyment of our 
civil rights and religious privileges; the wide 
spread manifestations and presence of the Holy 
Spirit; the “means of grace and hope of glory” 
still offered us in the religion of Jesus Christ, 
all proclaim his dealings with us to have been 
in mercy and with love. 

And we should also remember with gratitude 
that this day commemorates the departure in 


136 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


former years of those who would have oppress¬ 
ed our country, and the assurance, so recently 
given, that a bond of peace and fraternity may 
he established between all nations. 

I, therefore, appeal with confidence to the 
grateful appreciation of these mercies, by my fel¬ 
low-citizens throughout the State, for their co¬ 
operation in the proper observance of this day, 
by abstaining from all secular labor, in their 
attendance upon public worship, and by the 
dispensation of that sympathetic benevolence 
which the prostration ofindustry has demanded; 
thus cheering the hearts of the desolate, and 
making glad the homes of the destitute. 

Given under my hand and seal of this State 
this twenty-seventh day of October, in 
[l. s.] the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-eight, and of Inde¬ 
pendence the eighty-third. 

ELISHA DYER. 

Attest. 

John R. Bartlett, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 137 


PROCLAMATION 

By His Excellency William A. Bucking¬ 
ham, Governor of the State of Connec¬ 
ticut. 

Tt is both the duty and privilege of a Christian 
people, to recognize their obligations to the 
Bountiful Giver of All Good. During the past 
year we have experienced fresh and continued 
evidence of the divine favor and forbearance. 

Therefore I have thought proper to recom¬ 
mend, and I do hereby recommend, that Thurs¬ 
day, the twenty-fifth day of November next, be 
set apart as a day of Public Thanksgiving and 
Praise throughout this Commonwealth, and I 
earnestly invite and urge all persons to unite 
on that day in a public manifestation of their 
gratitude to Almighty God, who has crowned 
the year with his goodness; in that he has 
caused the earth to bring forth its fruits in their 
season; that he has averted from us the pesti¬ 
lence and the sword ; that he has saved us 
from civil commotion and the supremacy of 
evil passions; that a deeper interest is felt in 
our public schools and seminaries of learning; 
that progress has been made in the arts, in the 
sciences and in civilization ; that public justice 
18 


138 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


is administered under the sanction of law; that 
freedom of opinion, of speech, and of conscience, 
is vindicated ; that the love of civil and religious 
liberty is deeply seated in the hearts of the peo¬ 
ple ; that the Independence of the States and of 
the Federal Union, is still preserved; and above 
all, that “ He hath not dealt with us after our 
sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniqui¬ 
ties,” but has magnified the riches of his grace 
in giving his Holy Spirit to revive his work and 
lead sinners to repentance; and that the door 
of mercy is yet open, through which the guilty 
and perishing may enter and obtain eternal 
life, by faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ 
his Son. 

Given under my hand and seal of the 
State, at the city of Norwich, this the 
twenty-second day of October, in the 
[l. s.] year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-eight, and of the Inde¬ 
pendence of the United States the eigh¬ 
ty-third. 

WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM. 

By His Excellency’s command. 

John Boyd, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


139 


PROCLAMATION 

By William A. Newell, Governor of the 
State of New Jersey. 

rilHE first and constant duty of a Christian 
people, is to recognize and acknowledge 
Almighty God as the Author and Giver of All 
Good, and to render to him humble and grate¬ 
ful homage for his merciful providence and 
care. 

Another year passed in the enjoyment of the 
inestimable blessings of liberty, peace, health 
and plenty, calls for our renewed and devout 
expressions of gratitude and praise. 

To this end, and in accordance with recog¬ 
nized usages, I hereby set apart and appoint 
Thursday, the eighteenth day of November 
next, to be observed as a day of Thanksgiving 
and Prayer, and do recommend to the people 
of this State, that forsaking all secular pursuits, 
they assemble in their several places of wor¬ 
ship, and in sincerity of heart, offer thanks and 
praise to our Heavenly Father for all the bless¬ 
ings of the past, and implore his loving kind¬ 
ness and protection for the future. 


140 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


Given under my hand and privy seal, at 
Trenton, this twenty-sixth day of Octo- 
[l. s.] her, Anno Domini one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-eight. 

WILLIAM A. NEWELL. 

Attest. 

Enoch R. Borden, Private Secretary. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


141 


PROCLAMATION 


By Ashbel P. Willard, Governor of the 
State of Indiana. 

people who have been as highly favored 



as those of Indiana, in all that makes 
them free, independent and prosperous, may 
well, upon one day in each year, assemble to 
return their thanks for these blessings to Al¬ 
mighty God. 

I therefore appoint Thursday the twenty-fifth 
day of November, Anno Domini one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-eight, as a day of Pub¬ 
lic Thanksgiving and Prayer, urging all to as¬ 
semble and return thanks to the Supreme Ruler 
of the Universe, for the blessings he has con¬ 
ferred and the mercies he has extended to the 
People of the State of Indiana. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused to be affixed the 
seal of the State of Indiana. Done at 
the city of Indianapolis, this first day of 
[l. s.] November, in the year of our Lord eigh¬ 
teen hundred and fifty-eight, the year of 
the State the forty-third, and the Inde¬ 
pendence of the United States the eighty- 


third. 


ASHBEL P. WILLARD. 


By the Governor. 

Cyrus L. Dunham, Secretary of State. 


142 


THANKSGIVING PltOCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Kinsley S. Bingham, Governor of the 
State of Michigan. 

Tn conformity to a well-established custom, I 
have thought proper to designate, and I 
hereby appoint Thursday, the twenty-fifth day 
of November, as a day of General Thanksgiving 
and Praise to Almighty God. 

On that day I earnestly invite the good 
people of this State to assemble in their 
several places of worship, and make a public 
and grateful acknowledgment of the goodness 
of Divine Providence, which has brought us 
safely through another year with blessings and 
mercies innumerable. Let us be thankful for 
propitious seasons, in which the fruits of the 
earth have ripened and been gathered to supply 
our wants; for peace and tranquillity; for the 
tolerance of free thought and free discussion; 
for the unabated zeal which animates our 
people to educate and enlighten, and thus ele¬ 
vate and improve all classes; for the love of 
liberty and the desire to perpetuate free insti¬ 
tutions which prevails; for the serious thought 
which so many have given to the duties they 
owe their Maker and their fellow-men, and 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 143 

which has prompted the resolution “to do 
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before 
God.” And let us earnestly implore a continu¬ 
ance of the blessings which have been show¬ 
ered so abundantly upon our favored land. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name and caused the great 
seal of the State to be affixed, at the 
[l. s.] Capitol in Lansing, this twentieth day 
of October, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight. 

KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 
By the Governor. 

John McKinney, Secretary of State. 


144 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William H. Bissell, Governor of the 
State of Illinois. 

rpHE year now about to close has been one of 
unnumbered blessings. And although in 
some portions of our State the harvest has been 
less bountiful than we have been accustomed 
to receive, and in some localities more sickness 
than usual has marked the season, yet upon 
the whole it has been a year of eminent pros¬ 
perity to our citizens—such as should content 
and gladden every heart, and bow us to the 
earth in gratitude and thankfulness to Him 
who is the source of all goodness and wisdom. 

Therefore that the good people of our State 
may join in offerings of Thanksgivings for our 
manifold blessings, I recommend Thursday, the 
twenty-fifth day of November next, be set apart 
and observed by them as a day of Thanksgiving 
and Prayer. Let, for that day, all temporal 
matters of business be suspended, all worldly 
affairs be set aside, and let us, with hearts of 
forgiveness, each towards all others, unite in 
Praise and Thanksgiving to God for the count¬ 
less blessings of the closing year. 

W1LLIAH H. BISSELL. 

Springfield, Ill., Oct, 26 , 1858, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 145 


PROCLAMATION 

By Alexander W. Randall, Governor of the 
State of Wisconsin. 

Tn the good Providence of God another year 
has passed, and its memories and its fruits 
have been gathered up. Toward all mankind 
he has exhibited abundant mercies, and upon 
us he has showered innumerable blessings. 
Seed time and harvest came and are gone, and 
the fat earth hath yielded its great harvests 
and its fruits, every tree and every plant bear¬ 
ing seed after its kind. His bow has been still 
in the clouds. His avenging rod has been 
withheld, and the pestilence that walketh in 
darkness, and the destruction that wasteth 
at noonday have passed by us. 

In science and art, and in intellectual deve¬ 
lopment, the whole earth has been astonished 
at continued and startling successes and 
achievements. All trades, business avocations, 
professions and pursuits, have met everywhere 
with the success they have deserved. In all 
things commendable and useful, and of good 
report, we have met the approving smile of our 
Father who is in Heaven. 

The works of the Lord are great, sought out 
of all them that have pleasure therein. 

19 


146 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


His work is honorable and glorious, and his 
righteousness endureth forever. 

He hath made his wonderful works to be 
remembered ; the Lord is gracious and full of 
compassion. 

He hath given meat unto them that fear him; 
he will ever he mindful of his convenant. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of 
wisdom; a good understanding have all they 
that do his commandments; his praise endureth 
forever. 

For all his bounties and mercies, and loving 
kindness and care, we owe the homage of 
grateful, humble and obedient hearts. Follow¬ 
ing a venerable and wisely instituted custom, I, 
therefore, do here appoint, Thursday, the 
twenty-fifth day of November next, as a day of 
Thanksgiving and Prayer and Praise. And I 
commend that day to the observance of the 
good people of this State, enjoining them to ab¬ 
stain thereon from all secular avocations and 
employments, excepting only works of necessity 
and mercy. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub¬ 
scribed my name, and caused the Great 
Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be 
affixed. 

[l. s.] Done at Madison, this twenty-seventh 
day of October, in the year of our Lord, 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
eight. ALEX. W. RANDALL. 

J. D. Ruggles, Ass’t Sec’y of State. 


THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 147 


PROCLAMATION 


By William F. Packer, Governor of the 
State of Pennsylvania. 

In the Name and by the Authority of the Com¬ 
monwealth of Pennsylvania. 

ellow-Citizens : 



^ The goodness of God to us as a people, 
calls for our public acknowledgment and our 
grateful praise. The past and the present are 
crowded with his blessings. Nothing has oc¬ 
curred to imperil the principles of civil and re¬ 
ligions liberty upon which our government is 
based, or to interfere with its harmonious ope¬ 
rations in. all its departments. We are at 
peace with all foreign nations, and the noise of 
violence is unheard within our borders. While 
all enjoy perfect freedom of opinion, the genial 
influences of our free institutions, and the mild 
spirit of our holy religion, are more and more 
uniting us in one brotherhood. Our educa¬ 
tional institutions are diffusing intelligence 
among the masses of our citizens, inducing a 
higher appreciation of their privileges, and a 
deeper sense of their obligations. Though in 
some localities the pestilence has prevailed, our 


148 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

country at large has enjoyed unusual health, 
and we are blessed with an abundance of all 
the necessaries and comforts of life. Our in¬ 
dustrial pursuits are fast recovering from the 
torpor induced by the recent financial embar¬ 
rassments; confidence is being restored, and 
business is resuming its wonted activity. Mer¬ 
cies crown all our relations in life, and the 
hopes of a glorious immortality wait to cheer 
and bless every heart. 

Prompted by my own convictions of duty, 
and in conformity with the expressed wishes 
of many of my fellow-citizens, I, William F. 
Packer, Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, do hereby appoint Thursday the 
eighteenth day of November next, to be ob¬ 
served as a day of General Thanksgiving and 
Prayer, and recommend to all our people that, 
setting aside on that day all worldly pursuits, 
they assemble in their respective places of wor¬ 
ship, and unite in offering thanks to God for 
his goodness, imploring his gracious forgive¬ 
ness and the continuance of his mercies. And 
while our hearts throb with gratitude to God, 
for his unnumbered blessings, let a liberal cha¬ 
rity be extended to all upon whom have been 
laid the burdens of misfortune and want. 

Given under my hand and the great seal 
of the State, at Harrisburg, this twenty- 
eighth day of October, in the year of 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 149 

[l. s.] our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-eight, and of the Common¬ 
wealth the eighty-third. 

WILLIAM F. PACKER. 
William M. Hiester, Secretary 

of the Commonwealth. 


150 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Henry H. Sibley, Governor of the Ter¬ 
ritory of Minnesota. 

rpHE Governor is required by law to “ set 
apart one day in each year, as a day of 
solemn and Public Thanksgiving to Almighty 
God for his blessings to us as a State and Na¬ 
tion.” I do, therefore, designate and set apart 
Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of November 
next, for that purpose, and I earnestly recom¬ 
mend to the people of Minnesota that they ab¬ 
stain from all unnecessary secular employments 
on that day, and repair to their accustomed 
places of worship, to render thanks to the Most 
High, for all his mercies vouchsafed to us as a 
State and a Nation. 

No business will be transacted on that day 
at any of the Departments of State Govern¬ 
ment. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused the great seal of 
the State to be affixed at St. Paul, the 
[l. s.] Capitol thereof, this thirtieth day of Oc¬ 
tober, A. D. one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-eight, and of the State the 
second. 

HENRY H. SIBLEY. 

By the Governor. 

Francis Baasen. Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 151 


PROCLAMATION 

By Thomas H. Hicks, Governor of the 
State of Maryland. 

State of Maryland, to wit: 

Tn accordance with the custom hitherto pre- 
vailing in this State, and now sanctioned 
by the established usage, that some convenient 
day should he designated by the Chief Civil 
Authority to be observed as an especial day of 
Thanksgi\ ing to Almighty God, for the great 
benefits we have received at his hands; and in 
order to comply with the general expectation 
and desire of the inhabitants of this State who 
wish to unite, on such day, with the people of 
other States, in a service so just and becoming 
a Christian nation—I, Thomas Holliday Hicks, 
Governor of the State of Maryland, do hereby 
designate and appoint Thursday, the twenty- 
fifth day of November next, to be observed in 
this State as a day of Public Thanksgiving and 
Prayer. And I invite and request the good 
people of this State to keep and observe that 
day, by abstaining from all secular employ¬ 
ments ; by uniting in their respective places of 
worship in public acts of devotion, in gratitude 
to the Creator for the benefits of the past, im- 


152 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

ploring his blessing and guidance in the future, 
and by joining there, or at their homes, in such 
services and exercises as are appropriate, on 
the anniversary of a great national deliverance, 
to a day of Thanksgiving and Praise. 

Given under my hand and the great seal 
of the State, in the Executive Chamber 
[l. s.] at the city of Annapolis, this twenty- 
ninth day of October, in the year eigh¬ 
teen hundred and fifty-eight. 

TH. H. HICKS. 

By the Governor. 

James R. Partridge, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


153 


PROCLAMATION 

By Ralph P. Lowe, Governor of the State 
of Iowa. 

ITHhe people of Iowa will do themselves an 
important service by observing Thursday, 
the twenty-fifth day of November next, as a 
day of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord of 
Heaven; for that his name is still excellent in 
all the earth, and that he is never weary in the 
dispensation of his benefits and blessings. 

If he has not filled our barns with a plentiful 
harvest the past season, he has nevertheless 
given us remarkable health, watered our beau¬ 
tiful plains bountifully with the showers of 
God, that they may be prepared for a greater 
increase of fruits. 

By his Providence he has shown to us the 
strange evanescence of riches which have 
wings, the folly of attempting to fare sumptu¬ 
ously every day in vain schemes of speculation, 
instead of hardening the hand and moistening 
the brow with honest toil. 

For these and all the other mercies of life, 
let us on that day go into our temples of wor¬ 
ship, and fill them with thank-offerings to the 
God of our Fathers. 

Praise him for giving to this whole land so 
20 


154 THANKSGIVING PKOCLAMATIONS. 

largely of his spirit, by which the faces of mul¬ 
titudes have been turned heavenward. 

Praise him for the Christian’s faith, the spread 
of our holy religion, the triumphs of science 
and the progress making in the peaceful arts. 

Praise him for the moral and social improve¬ 
ments of the race, by means of the intercom¬ 
munication of telegraphs and railways. 

Let the spirit of divine truth be invoked to 
push forward all the great enterprises of the 
age, and that the out-goings of the morning 
and evening may still continue to rejoice over 
us. 

Given at Des Moines, under my hand and 
the great seal of the State of Iowa, the 
[l. s.] twenty-fifth day of October, Anno Do¬ 
mini one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-eight. 

RALPH P. LOWE. 

By the Governor. 

Elijah Sells, Secretary of State, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 155 


PROCLAMATION 

By Robert M. Stewart, Governor of the 
State of Missouri. 

HPhe end of another year is approaching. The 
gladsome season of opening buds, of refresh¬ 
ing showers, of genial sunshine, and of golden, 
waving fields of ripening cereals, have again 
been enjoyed, and are past. The husbandman 
is now garnering the rich stores with which 
a beneficent Providence is wont to bless the 
labors of our most highly favored people. 
Abundant harvests have rewarded the toils of 
the farmer, and success the honest earnest ef¬ 
forts of all classes. Health in the main, has 
given firmness to our footsteps, and vigor to 
the ultimatum of our purposes; and peace has 
imparted confidence to our numerous enter¬ 
prises, and enhanced our blessings with the lull 
of security and the beatitude of contentment. 
Heaven has showered its noblest gifts upon us. 
Religious freedom, civil liberty, and the pro¬ 
tection of individual rights, are the common 
heritage of all. Material wealth, intellectual 
attainments, and the rewards of virtue, are 
offered alike to all and they have not sought in 
vain who have sought aright. 


156 THANKSGIVING PKOCL AM ATIONS. 

It is proper that we should recognize the 
hand which has so bountifully provided for our 
happiness. It is right that we should acknow¬ 
ledge our manifold obligations to the Giver of 
all we possess and enjoy. It is our highest pri¬ 
vilege to cherish a sincrere gratitude to “ Him 
in whom we live and move and have our 
being.” I have deemed it proper, therefore, in 
conformity with a custom which, with a wise 
regard for our highest interests, may ever he 
observed, to name a day on which the people 
of the State may, with one accord, devoutly 
offer Public Thanksgiving to the Great Source 
of life and its blessings. 

In considering the day most appropriate, the 
twenty-fifty day of November is suggested as 
eminently suitable. On that day, one thou¬ 
sand seven hundred eighty-three, the armed 
foe of American Independence evacuated the 
enemy’s fortification and ceased to tread Ameri¬ 
can soil. On that day the complete and per¬ 
fect independence of the American nation was 
consummated, and liberty, civil and religious, 
unawed and undisputed, was proclaimed as 
the universal heritage of all those sheltered by 
the American Eagle, or who might thereafter 
seek an asylum under his ever expanding wings. 
On that day for the first time, undisturbed by 
the representative of despotism, and unrestrain¬ 
ed by the terrors of any external foe, the fathers 
of American Freedom shouted from the hill- 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 157 

tops, the glad tidings that universal religious 
tolerance, civil liberty, and the political equal¬ 
ity of our race, regardless of the land of birth, 
is established, and shall forever have an abid¬ 
ing place upon the earth; that henceforth the 
American Continent shall be an asylum for the 
oppressed—“ the land of the free.” What day 
so appropriate for the outpouring of the grati¬ 
tude of the American people ? 

In view, therefore, of the many causes of 
gratitude which we continually enjoy, and of 
the occasion which renders eminently appro¬ 
priate the day designated, I, Robert M. Stewart, 
Governor of the State of Missouri, do, by this 
proclamation, recommend to the people of this 
State, that they observe Thursday, the twenty- 
fifth day of November next, as a fitting day for 
Thanksgiving to Almighty God, and in humble 
prayer to him for a continuance of his blessings. 

In testimony whereof, I have hitherto set 
my hand, and caused the great seal of 
State to be affixed. Done at the city of 
Jefferson, this, the twenty-sixth day of 
[l. s.J October, A. D. one thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and fifty-eight, of the Independence 
of the United States the eighty-third, 
and of the State of Missouri the thirty- 
eight. 

R. M. STEWART. 

By the Governor, 

B. F. Massey, Secretary of State. 


158 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION* 

By William McWillie, Governor of the 
State of Mississippi. 

Executive Office, 

City of Jackson, Miss., 

October 12, 1858. 

hereas it is a time-honored custom, and 
is of itself right and proper and becom¬ 
ing in a Christian people to observe annually 
a day of Thanksgiving, I do hereby appoint 
Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of November 
next, for that purpose, and request its general 
observance throughout the State; for of all the 
people who have existed, none could so truly 
say, “ The lines have fallen to us in pleasant 
places, and we have a goodly heritage.” Then 
let us unite in one General Thanksgiving, ex¬ 
claiming with the Psalmist, “Unto thee, O God, 
do we give thanks; yea, unto thee do we give 
thanks.” 

WM. McWILLTE. 



* A note appended to this insert it in their papers un- 
Proclamation, and signed by til the twenty-fifth of No- 
the Governor, requested all vember; and the Clergy ge- 
the Editors in the State to nerally to give it publicity. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 159 


PROCLAMATION 

By His Excellency, Nathaniel P. Banks, 
Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts. 

T>y advice and with consent of the Council, I 
have appointed and do hereby appoint 
Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of November 
next, a day of Thanksgiving and Praise; and I 
recommend to the people in observance of this 
ancient and religious custom of the founders of 
the Commonwealth, to suspend ordinary vo¬ 
cations and pleasures, and to assemble on that 
day in the usual places of public worship, for 
the purpose of acknowledging our continued 
dependence upon his Providence, and to render 
thanks to Almighty God for the manifold and 
signal mercies he has bestowed upon us, upon 
our fathers and upon the great family of man; 

That he has preserved our people in health, 
in prosperity, in peace and in freedom: 

That he has secured to us the rewards of in¬ 
telligent industry, and the wealth of the seas, 
the soil and the seasons: 

That he has crowned with success all our 
institutions and labors for the moral and mental 
culture of our people, and the relief of those 
oppressed in mind, in body or estate: 


1G0 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


That he has protected us, in the enjoyment 
of the privileges of a government, which com¬ 
bines with rare felicity the freedom of indivi¬ 
duals, the supervision of the family, and the 
authority of the State : 

That he has suppressed traditional feuds and 
assuaged the animosities of nations, leading 
them through the marvelous developments of 
science to cultivate a civilizing and Christian 
intercourse with each other, instead of increas¬ 
ing the atrocities of war, and strengthening the 
lust for dominion. 

And especially that he has given us that fixed 
and abiding faith in his Providence, which 
sustains us amidst the direst calamities and 
teaches us that all events in life or death—some¬ 
times interpreted by the imperfect wisdom of 
man as misfortune—may be overruled through 
his grace, for the welfare of his people, and the 
glory of his name. 

Given at the Council Chamber, in Boston, 
this twenty-seventh day of October, in 
the year of our Lord, one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-eight, and of the In- 
[l. s.] dependence of the United States the 
eighty-third. 

By his Excellency the Governor, with 
the advice of the Council. 

NATHANIEL P. BANKS. 

Oliver Warner, Secretary. 

God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 161 


PROCLAMATION 


By Joseph E. Brown, Governor of the State 
of Georgia. 



hereas, it has pleased Almighty God to 


" ^ smile upon us as a people, in much mercy, 
during another year; to crown our labors with 
rich blessings, to protect and preserve us from 
war, hunger and pestilence, and to pour out 
his holy spirit upon us in copious showers. 
And whereas, these manifestations of his pro¬ 
tecting care and loving kindness, admonish us 
of the debt of gratitude, which we, as a people 
of a great State, owe to the Giver of every good 
and perfect gift, and of our duty to be humble 
and thankful, rendering praise to his great 
name, “ in psalms and hymns and spiritual 
songs, singing and making melody in our hearts 
to the Lord, giving thanks always for all 
things.” 

I do, therefore, issue this my Proclamation, 
setting apart Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of 
this present month, as a day of Thanksgiving 
and Prayer. And I do earnestly invite the dif¬ 
ferent congregations composing all the reli¬ 
gious denominations of every name in this State, 
to meet at their respective places of worship, 
on that day, and unite in returning thanks and 


162 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


singing praises to our God for his wondrous 
works in the past, and in fervent prayer for 
his protecting care in the future, remembering 
that the Psalmist has said: “ Let the people 
praise thee, then shall the earth yield her in¬ 
crease, and God, even our God, shall bless us.” 

Given under my hand and the Seal of the 
Executive Department, at the Capitol in 
Milledgeville, this fourth day of Novem- 
[l. s.] her, in the year of our Lord, one thou¬ 
sand eight hundred and fifty-eight, and 
of the Independence of the United States 
of America the eighty-third. 

JOSEPH E. BROWN. 

By the Governor. 

H. H. Waters, Secretary, Ex. Dep. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


163 


PROCLAMATION 

By Salmon P. Chase, Governor of the 
State of Ohio. 

Tn compliance with a joint resolution of the 
General Assembly, I, Salmon P. Chase, 
Governor of the State of Ohio, hereby appoint 
Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of November, 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, as 
a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer to Al¬ 
mighty God : and I earnestly recommend to 
the people of the State the due observance of 
that day, by abstinence from ordinary labors, 
by public and private offerings of praise and 
gratitude for the multiform and manifold bless¬ 
ings and benefits, national, social and personal, 
which God hath been graciously pleased to be* 
stow upon us, and by fervent prayers that he will 
cause his goodness to abound yet more and 
more towards us, protecting our whole country 
from foreign enemies and domestic dissensions, 
distinguishing by his favor, our State Institu¬ 
tions of Government, education and benevo¬ 
lence, and conducting each of us through bless¬ 
ed ways of penitence and faith to the glorious 


164 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


consummation of earthly hopes in heavenly 
rest. 

Given under my hand and the great seal 
of the State of Ohio, this eighth day of 
[l. s.] November, A. D. one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty-eight. 

S. P. CHASE. 

By the Governor. 

A. P. Russell, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 165 


PROCLAMATION 

By Robert F. W. Allston, Governor of the 
State of South Carolina. 



hereas, whilst we humbly bow before the 


* ^ Almighty, in meek submission to the 
will of his inscrutable Providence, chastening 
as with disappointment of some cherished 
hopes, with disease, with loss of faithful and 
valuable citizens, it becomes us as a people, 
now that the pestilence is stayed in the city, 
and the bright beams of the autumnal sun, 
with a bracing atmosphere, has dissipated the 
malaria of the fruitful country—now that the 
harvest-home is over, and the staple results of 
the seasons, wherever diminished, are still 
greater than we deserve at the hands of a 
bountiful Benefactor, “ to assemble and meet 
together to render thanks for the great benefits 
that we have received at his hands, to set forth 
his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy 
word, and to ask those things which are re¬ 
quisite and necessary as well for the body as 
• the soul.” 

Now, therefore, I deem it meet to appoint 
and set apart, Thursday, the twenty-fifth of 
November instant, as a day of Thanksgiving 


166 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

and Prayer. Accordingly, I do invite all per¬ 
sons on that day to assemble at their respeclive 
places of worship to return thanks for our nu¬ 
merous blessings past and present, and to pray 
for the divine guidance and blessing in our 
future life. 

Given under my hand and seal of the 
State, at Columbia, this eleventh day of 
November, in the year of our Lord one 
[l. s.] thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, 
and in the eighty-third year of the 
American Independence. 

ROBERT F. W. ALLSTON. 

James Patterson, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 167 


PROCLAMATION 


By Madison S. Perry, Governor of the State 
of Florida. 



hereas, it is right and proper for States as 


f " well as individuals, to return thanks to 
Almighty God, for his manifold blessings and 
mercies; and whereas, the fourth Thursday in 
November has been by usage and custom, 
adopted by most of the States of the Union, as 
a day of Thanksgiving; and in order that said 
day may be observed with uniformity through¬ 
out the United States; Therefore, 

I, Madison S. Perry, do by this my Public 
Proclamation, set aside Thursday, the twenty- 
fifth day of November, as a day of Public 
Thanksgiving, and respectfully ask the clergy 
of all religious denominations, to open their 
houses of worship, and deliver addresses suited 
to such an occasion, and request the good 
people of the State to lay aside their usual 
avocations and join in the religious exercises 
of the day. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused to be affixed the 
[l. s.] great seal of the State of Florida. Done 


168 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

at the Capitol, in the city of Tallahassee, 
this third day of November, Anno Domi¬ 
ni one thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
eight. 

MADISON S. PERRY. 
By the Governor—Attest, 

F. L. Villepigue, Secretary of State. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


169 


PROCLAMATION 

By Isham G. Harris, Governor of the State 
of Tennessee. 


To all the People of said State, greeting: 

hereas, It has pleased an All-wise Provi- 
’ * dence, to bestow upon our State peace, 
health, and prosperity, and to continue to us our 
civil and religious liberty, under those free in¬ 
stitutions vouchsafed to us by the same power, 
and in conformity to a commendable usage 
among Christian nations, I, Isham G. Harris, 
Governor as aforesaid, do hereby appoint Thurs¬ 
day, the twenty-fifth instant, as a day of Thanks¬ 
giving and Praise, and earnestly invoke the 
People throughout the State to observe it as 
such. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused the great Seal of the 
State to be affixed at the office in Nash- 
[l. s ] ville, on the eighth day of November, 
Anno Domini one thousand eight hun¬ 
dred and fifty-eight. 

ISHAM G. HARRIS. 

By the Governor. 

J. E. R. Ray, Secretary of State. 

22 


170 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Ililand Hall, Governor of the State of 
Vermont. 

/~\ur New England ancestors were deeply im- 

bued with a religious feeling of dependence 
upon an Overruling Providence. While they 
diligently pursued the means which labor and 
skill could furnish for the accomplishment of 
their lawful undertakings, they felt their best 
efforts to be vain unless aided and sanctioned 
by the divine favor. They were accordingly 
ever ready to give thanks and praise to their 
Heavenly Father for all their enjoyments. The 
productions of the earth were among the richest 
of their temporary blessings, and when these 
had been harvested and a sufficient supply for 
the ensuing year was found to have been ga¬ 
thered and secured, a peculiar occasion seemed 
to be furnished for the manifestation of grati¬ 
tude to Him whose mercies had rendered the 
season propitious and crowned the labors of the 
husbandman with success. Hence the early 
custom of setting apart a day towards the close 
of each year for a public religious festival of 
Thanksgiving and Praise. This custom was 
adopted in this State on the first formation of 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 171 


its government and has been invariably follow¬ 
ed to the present time, and is one well worthy 
to be perpetuated. 

In accordance with this approved and revered 
custom, I do hereby appoint Thursday, the 
second day of December next, a day of Public 
Thanksgiving and Praise throughout this State. 

Ministers and people of every denomination 
are requested to suspend all unnecessary labor 
on that day, and in their respective places of 
worship, with a spirit of humility and gratitude 
becoming the occasion, to render thanks to 
God and proclaim his praises for all the mercies 
both temporal and spiritual, which he has 
hitherto been pleased to bestow upon us; espe¬ 
cially for his great kindness to the people of this 
State in continuing to them a constitution of 
government which secures liberty and equality 
of rights, and freedom of faith and opinion to 
all; for the abundance of the fruits of the earth 
with which the labors of the husbandman have 
been rewarded, and the general measure of 
health and prosperity that have attended us the 
past season; for the means with which we are 
favored of obtaining and profiting by intellect¬ 
ual, moral, and religious instruction; for the 
many wonderful discoveries and inventions 
which the ingenuity of man is constantly per¬ 
mitted to make for bettering the physical and 
social condition of our race, by increasing the 


172 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 

comforts and conveniences of life and rendering 
them more easily attainable, by constructing 
pathways through the atmosphere and along 
the depths of the ocean for the transmission of 
knowledge with lightning speed from one 
country to another, bringing the nations of the 
earth into nearer and more kindly contact, and 
promising eventually, by encircling them all 
in one continuous chain, to bind them together 
in perpetual peace and harmony—and finally, 
for the Christian hope, which is vouchsafed to 
us of a blessed immortality. 

And while in the celebration of this time 
honored festival we are assembled around the 
family board, exchanging our mirthful con¬ 
gratulations with kindred and friends, over 
bountiful repasts, let our hearts be expanded 
with enlarged benevolence towards those to 
whom the favors of Providence may have been 
dispensed with a more sparing hand. Let our 
enjoyments be enhanced by the reflection that 
the sons and daughters of want and suffering 
have not been forgotten by us, but have been 
sought out and cared for. So shall the day be 
made one of joy and gladness to all—a heart¬ 
felt Thanksgiving throughout the length and 
breadth of the land. 

Given under my hand and the seal of this 
State, in the Executive Chamber, at 
Montpelier, this eight day of November, 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 173 


in the year of our Lord one thousand 
[l. s.] eight hundred and fifty-eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States, the 
eighty-third. 

HILAND HALL. 

By the Governor. 

Wilbur P. Davis, Secretary 

of Civil and Military Affairs. 


174 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By Peter F. Causey, Governor of the State 
of Delaware. 

Delaware, ss. In the name and by the au¬ 
thority of the State of Delaware, Peter F. 
Causey, Governor of the said State : 

TT^ellow citizens : 

It is but a just tribute of a grateful people 
to offer thanks to an Almighty Providence for 
the many and signal blessings which have 
been extended to them and for the watchful 
care which has guarded and protected them as 
a nation. 

Our people and nation are among the most 
favored of the earth, in many respects we are 
the “ peculiar people ” of God’s Providence ; 
liberty in its best and truest sense is the inherit¬ 
ance of every citizen, and our growth and pro¬ 
gress are without a parallel in the history of the 
world; flourishing towns and villages now 
stand where but a short time since the wilder¬ 
ness held undisputed sway; and the noise of 
machinery and the hum of industry have dis¬ 
placed the silence of the forest—older nations 
are astonished at our rapid advancement and 
we are already recognized and respected as one 
of the most important powers of the earth. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 175 


Amid the blessings which have so signally 
marked the progress of our common country, 
our own State has received her share; pesti¬ 
lence and famine are unknown within her bor¬ 
ders ; a bountiful return repays the labor of the 
husbandman; our people are contented, pros¬ 
perous and happy. In view of these blessings, 
and in conformity with established usage and 
the wishes of many citizens, 

I, Peter P. Causey, Governor of the State of 
Delaware, do hereby recommend Thursday, 
the twenty-fifth instant, as a day of General 
Thanksgiving and Praise throughout the State, 
and request the people, that, abstaining from 
all worldly occupations, they assemble in their 
respective places of worship, and give most 
humble and hearty thanks to Him who holds 
in his hand the destinies of nations as of indi¬ 
viduals. 

Given under my hand and the great seal 
of the State of Delaware, at Dover, this 
ninth day of November, in the year of 
[l. s.] our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-eight, and of the Independence 
of the said State, the eighty-third. 

P. F. CAUSEY. 

By the Governor. 

J. R. Lofland, Secretary of State. 


176 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 

By William A. Richardson, Governor of 
the Territory of Nebraska. 

Executive Office, )• 
Omaha, N. T., Nov. 10, 1858. > 

T William A. Richardson, Governor of the 

Territory of Nebraska, issue this my Pro¬ 
clamation, setting apart Saturday, the fourth 
day of December, Anno Domini one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-eight, as a day of Pray¬ 
er and Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the 
manifold blessings which, in his great goodness 
and mercy, he has bestowed upon this people. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused to be affixed the 
[l. s.] great seal of the Territory. 

WM. A. RICHARDSON. 

By the Governor. 

J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Nebraska. 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 177 


PROCLAMATION 

By Thomas Bragg, Governor of the State 
of North Carolina. 

A\7~hereas, by an act of the General Assembly 
" it is made the duty of the Governor of 
the State for the time being, “ to set apart a 
day in every year, and to give notice thereof 
by Proclamation, as a day of solemn and Pub¬ 
lic Thanksgiving to Almighty God for past 
blessings, and of supplication for his continual 
kindness and care over us, as a State and as a 
Nation.”* 

Now, therefore, I do, by this my Proclama¬ 
tion, appoint and set apart Thursday, the 
twenty-fifth day of November next, as such 
day, and do most respectfully and earnestly re¬ 
commend that it be observed accordingly by 
all the good people of this State. 

Given under my hand, and attested by the 
great seal of the State. Done at the 
[l. s.] city of Raleigh, this, the fourth day of 
November, Anno Domini one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-eight. 

THOMAS BRAGG. 

By the Governor. 

Pulaski Cowper, Pr. Secretary. 

* Passed in 1848. Revised Code, ch. 53, sec. 23, p. 315. 

23 


178 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 


PROCLAMATION 


By James G. Berret, Mayor of Washington 


City, D. C. # 

he City Council having by a joint resolution, 



appointed Thursday, the twenty-fifth in¬ 
stant, as a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, 
I have approved of the act, and deem it my 
duty to give an official announcement of the 
same by this, my Proclamation. The observ¬ 
ance of a day of Thanksgiving at this season 
of the year is sanctioned by time-honored 
custom, and is peculiarly becoming a Christian 
community. The blessings which are conti¬ 
nually vouchsafed to us demand that we should 
occasionally turn aside from our daily avoca¬ 
tions, and as it were, sanctify a secular day by 

* Joint Resolution appoint- “fore united with many of 
ing a day of Public Thanks- “the States of the Union in 
giving: “this public expression of 

“ Whereas, It is becoming “ devout and grateful hearts 
“in a favored people to re- “with peculiar acceptance 
“ turn thanks to the Giver “ by her citizens. Therefore 
“ of All Good for the mani- “ Resolved, by the Board 
“ fold blessings he vouch- “ of Aldermen and Board of 
“ safes them as a communi- “ Common Council of the city 
“ty; and whereas, the city “of Washington, That the 
“of Washington has hereto- “Mayor is hereby requested 


THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS. 179 


united and heartfelt manifestations of grati¬ 
tude, by prayerful reflection, and by contrite 
supplication. 

In order to give due effect and solemnity to 
the occasion, every good citizen is invoked to 
contribute something of example and precept 
toward the fulfillment of the duties which pro¬ 
perly belong to the day; and to this end I re¬ 
commend that the ordinary pursuits of business 
be suspended, and that all denominations as¬ 
semble in their respective places of worship to 
render thanks to Almighty God for his bound¬ 
less mercies, and to offer up supplications for a 
continuance of our civic and our national pros¬ 
perity. 

Given under my hand, at the city of Wash¬ 
ington, this thirteenth day of November, 
[l. s.] in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-eight. 

JAMES G. BERRET. 


“ to set apart, by Public Pro- 
“ clamation, Thursday, the 
“twenty-fifth instant, as a 
“day of Thanksgiving and 
“Praise to Almighty God, 
“ inviting all the inhabitants 
“ of the city to abstain from 
“their usual secular employ¬ 
ments, and the reverend 
“clergy to unite in such 
“ manner as they may deem 
“ most appropriate in giving 


“ expression to the gratitude 
“ of the people. 

“ Resolved, That the keep, 
“ers of taverns, restaurants 
“ and refectories, be request- 
“ ed to close their houses on 
“ said day, and that the May. 
“or be requested to direct 
“ the police officers to report 
“the names of the keepers 
“ of all such houses who shall 
“ refuse to close them.” 























' 
































































































• 






















INDEX 


Page. 

Alliston, Robert F. W., Gov’r of South Carolina, 1858, 165 

Banks, Nathaniel P., Gov 7 r of Massachusetts,.. 1858, 159 

Berret, Jas. G., Mayor of Washington, D. C.,.. 1858, 118 

Bingham, Kinsley S., Governor of Michigan.... 1858, 142 

Bissell, Wm. H., Governor of Illinois,. 1858, 144 

Bouck, Wm. C., Governor of New York,. 1843, 96 

do do do 1844, 98 

Boudinot, Elias, President of Congress,. 1183, 23 

Bragg, Thomas, Governor of North Carolina,.. 1858, 111 

Brown, Joseph E., Governor of Georgia,. 1858, 161 

Buckingham, Wm. A., Governor of Connecticut, 1858, 131 

Causey, Peter F., Governor of Delaware,. 1858, 114 

Chase, Salmon P., Governor of Ohio,. 1858, 163 

Clark, Myron H., Governor of New York,. 1855, 119 

do do do . 1856, 121 

Clinton, De Witt, Governor of New York,. 1811, 41 

do do do 1818, 49 

do do do 1819, 50 

do do do 1820, 52 

do do do 1821, 54 

do do do ..... 1822, 56 

do do do 1825, 61 

do do do 1826, 63 

do do do 1821, 65 

Clinton, George, Governor of New York,. 1182, 20 

Golden, Cad wall ader,. 1160, 2 

Colonial Proclamation,. 1160, 1 























182 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Committee of States,. 1184, 26 

Congress, Continental, Proclamations by,. 1111, 4 

do do do 1118, 8 

do do do 1119, 11 

do do do ..... 1180, 14 

do do do 1181, 16 

do do do 1182, 20 

do do do 1183, 23 

Congress, Resolutions of,. 1815, 36 

Conquest of Canada,. 1160, 2 

Dyer, Elisha, Governor of Rhode Island,. 1858, 135 

Fish, Hamilton, Governor of New York,. 1849, 110 

do do do . 1850, 112 

Haile, Wm,, Governor of New Hampshire,_ 1858, 133 

Hall, Hiland, Governor of Vermont,. 1858, 110 

Harris, Isham G., Governor of Tennessee,. 1858, 169 

Hicks, Thomas H., Governor of Maryland,. 1858, 151 

Hunt, Washington, Governor of New York,.. . 1851, 114 

do do do 1852, 115 

Huntington, Samuel, President of Congress,.. . 1119, 11 

Jay, John, Governor of New York,. 1195, 43 

King, John A., Governor of New York,. 1851, 124 

do do do 1858, 126 

Laurens, Henry, Letter to Governor Clinton,. . . 1111, 1 

Laurens, Henry,-President of Congress,. 1118, 8 

Legislature of New York, upon the Peace of.. 1815, 41 

Lowe, Ralph P., Governor of Iowa,. 1858, 153 

McKean, Thomas, President of Congress,. 1181, 16 

McWillie, Wm., Governor of Mississippi,. 1858, 158 

Madison, James, upon the Peace of. 1815, 31 

Marcy, Wm. L., Governor of New York,. 1833, 18 

do do do 1834, 80 

do do do 1835, 81 

do do do 1836, 83 

do do do 1831, 84 

do do do 1838, 86 

Moore, Andrew B., Governor of Alabama,. 1858, 128 
































INDEX. 183 

Page. 

Morrill, Lott M., Governor of Maine,. 1858, 131 

National Thanksgivings,. 30 

Newell, Wm. A., Governor of New Jersey,.... 1858, 139 

Packer, Wm. F., Governor of Pennsylvania,... 1858, 141 

Peace of 1815, President’s Proclamation,. 31 

do Governor of New York,. 41 

Perry, Madison S., Governor of Florida,. 1858, 161 

Pitcher, Nathaniel, Lt. Governor of.New York, 1828, 61 

Randall, Alexander W., Governor of Wisconsin, 1858, 145 

Revolutionary Proclamations,. 4 

Richardson, Wm. A., Governor of Nebraska,... 1858, 116 

Seward, Wm. H., Governor of New York,. 1839, 88 

do do do 1840, 90 

do do do 1841, 93 

do do do 1842, 94 

Seymour, Horatio, Governor of New York,.... 1853, 111 

do do do 1854, 118 

Sibley, Henry II., Governor of Minnesota,. 1858, 150 

Stewart, Robert M., Governor of Missouri,.... 1858, 155 

Tompkins, D. D., Gov’r of New York (Peace), 1815, 41 

Throop, Enos T., Lt. Governor of New York, .. 1829, 69 

do do Governor do . 1830, 11 

do do do . 1831, 14 

do do do . 1832, 16 

Washington, George, President,. 1189, 30 

do do do 1195, 33 

Willard, Ashbel P., Governor of Indiana,. 1858, 141 

Wright, Silas, Governor of New York,. 1845. 100 

do do do 1846, 103 

Yates, Joseph 0., Governor of New York,. 1823, 58 

do do do 1824, 60 

Young, John, Governor of New York,.. 1841, 106 

do do do 1848, 108 
































































































